10 December 2004
Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader
ANZ report good fifth birthday present for coalition
Today's ANZ November report on job advertisements in major newspapers, which are up a staggering 14.4 percent from a
year ago, highlights yet again the importance to the economy of the government's investment in workers' skills, training
and apprenticeship programmes, says Progressive MP Matt Robson.
"One of the most important aspects of the economic development strategy of the progressive government over the past five
years has been the significant increased investment we are making in apprenticeships and in the other infrastructure
that companies need in order to meet their potential," Matt Robson said.
The minority progressive coalition government is today celebrating the fifth anniversary since it was sworn into office
and Matt Robson said the ANZ Bank report is a good birthday gift.
"Over half a million Kiwis left our shores over the last few decades. In the past five years we've been working hard to
attract Kiwis back home so they can put their talents to use in New Zealand, but there is more we can do.
"The Progressive Party, in particular, is campaigning to meet student loan repayments for each year worked in New
Zealand after graduation because student debt forces too many to flee New Zealand, and we are campaigning to make our
company tax rate more competitive against our trading partners.
"Employers everywhere say that the shortage of skilled labour is their Number One constraint on growth at the moment and
the government is playing a big role to fix that constraint," he said.
The ANZ Job Ads report for November today found that the seasonally adjusted number of job advertisements placed in the
major newspapers throughout New Zealand increased 1.9 percent to 34,848 in November, taking the series 14.4 percent
above the level prevailing a year earlier. The trend has taken advertising levels to record highs.
ENDS