David CLARK
Economic Development Spokesperson
Clare CURRAN
Associate Economic Development Spokesperson
31 July 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT
Joyce guts Invermay
“Today’s announcement of 85 job cuts at Invermay is the direct result of the Government’s failure to properly fund
innovation, Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson David Clark and Associate Economic Development spokesperson Clare
Curran say.
“The job losses are devastating news for Otago. Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce’s fingerprints are all over
this,” the Dunedin MPs say. “Squeeze, cut and gut is his mantra. He epitomises a Government that knows the cost of
everything and the value of nothing.”
David Clark says the wider economy will be affected. “Commercial partnerships are under threat and this will have a
flow-on effect to the farming sector.”
“Practical projects that grow on-farm performance are threatened. Huge projects in sheep breeding and cattle will be at
risk.”
“This Government’s research and development record is woeful. The International Institute for Management Development
recently pointed to that as a factor in New Zealand’s business competitiveness falling from 15th to 24th.”
Invermay’s research contributed towards a cleaner, greener, hi-tech New Zealand. “Now it has been gutted.”
Clare Curran says the positions being cut are high-paid, high skilled jobs.
“No Government in their right mind should be cutting investment in this area. These jobs are catalysts for growth in
the regions.”
“The Invermay jobs cut and a further 180 roles being lost at Ruakura show the Government is out of touch with the
regions.”
“Taking more skilled jobs out of the regions at a time of high unemployment shows just how arrogant this Government has
become,” says Clare Curran.
ENDS