25 May 2005

Hobbs challenges Blumsky to back public servants

Wellington Central Labour MP Marian Hobbs has again challenged National Party candidate Mark Blumsky to state where he stands on his party's plans to slash jobs in the public service.

"The people of Wellington Central have a right to know," Marian Hobbs said. "National has said there are too many ‘useless bureaucrats’. That is an insult to hard working and dedicated public servants, who loyally serve the government of the day, whoever they are. As MP for Wellington Central I am proud of the work that public servants are doing."

Throughout its term in government Labour has shown a commitment to build strong public services. This requires a strong public service to work on the front line and design and monitor the programmes and policies behind those services.

"We have shown our commitment to building strong public services through increased staffing in key areas such as education, social work and prisons, the creation of the State Sector Retirement Scheme and the development of the Partnership for Quality with the PSA," Marian Hobbs said.

"This electorate knows that Labour is committed to strong public services. National set about destroying public services in the 90s. Now they want to do it again. The question for Mr Blumsky is does he support the attacks on public services by his colleagues?"

ENDS

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