Progressive join EPMU in combating Brash
EPMU national secretary, Andrew Little is right to portray a Brash-led National ACT government as a threat to working
people.
Progressive Leader Jim Anderton, who addressed the annual Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union conference in
Rotorua this afternoon said "this is a great time to be a New Zealander. We are enjoying the best economic conditions in
a generation. Let’s not put that at risk. Let’s not put at risk the lowest level of unemployment since 1987. Let’s not
turn back the clock.
"A Brash led National ACT government would turn back the clock to dismal days of high unemployment, low wages,
struggling regions and reduced social services. We need to work together to prevent that.
"We need to lock in what we have achieved so far because everything this Labour Progressive government has accomplished
is at risk at the next election. If Don Brash becomes Prime Minister a year from now you will lose four weeks leave and
paid parental leave by lunchtime along with fair minded employment law and reasonable minimum wages. National predicted
the developmental policies the Labour Progressive government is following would destroy jobs. They were wrong on all
accounts but that won't stop them turning back the clock.
"Rising incomes and strength in the regions doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the Labour Progressive
government works in partnership, and Don Brash is deeply, passionately opposed to all of it. Partnerships with industry
and the regions of New Zealand will also be gone by lunchtime.
"Under National there would be a return to the failed asset sales of the past. Air New Zealand and the rail tracks will
again be sold off to companies with no interest in the nation's infrastructure needs, and may be run into the ground
again.
"This Labour Progressive government had to open Kiwibank, to ensure low-fee banking services were available to all
communities. But Don Brash will turn the clock back and sell that too. He also supports privatising the health system,
the ACC and TVNZ. In fact, if there’s a piece of family silver not nailed down, that will go too.
"We should be positive about where we are going as a country and we should commit ourselves to locking in our gains and
working together to build on our considerable strengths," Jim Anderton said.