9 May 2013

Key fails to keep jobs promise

The latest figures show a minimal net increase in jobs at a time when John Key promised an employment boom, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today.

The Household Labour Force Survey shows an increase of 8,000 in the number of New Zealanders employed in the year to March 2013. Budget 2011 projected an increase of 57,000 in the same time period while Budget 2012 forecast a 33,000 increase.

“Before the last election, National promised that there would be 57,000 more jobs in the year to March 2013. Instead, they’ve delivered just 8,000. That wasn’t even enough to keep up with the growing population,” said Mrs Turei.

“It’s another case of John Key promising big and not delivering - just like ‘closing the gap with Australia’ and ‘mum and dad investors in Mighty River Power’.

“The unemployment rate has only fallen because people are giving up looking for a job and leaving the labour force altogether. The working age population grew by 30,000 last year but the number of people working or actively looking for work fell by 7,000.

“The number of manufacturing jobs fell by 11,000 in the past year. The sector is clearly in crisis and the over-valued exchange rate is hurting businesses.

“This week, John Key admitted he has no idea how to turn around Wellington’s economy. These figures show he has no plan for the rest of the economy either.

“The Green plan will get the economy working and create jobs. We’ll build affordable homes and insulate existing houses; we’ll reduce electricity prices for families and businesses; we’ll get the dollar down and back sustainable exporters; we’ll invest in R&D and a second internet cable; and we’ll make sure government agencies buy New Zealand made whenever possible,” said Mrs Turei.

ends

© Scoop Media