Sue
Moroney
Social Development Spokesperson
11 August 2014 MEDIA STATEMENT
Young job seekers dealt a poor hand
National's "keep 'em poor" card for young people on a benefit is a sorry substitute for job training, Labour’s Social
Development spokesperson Sue Moroney says.
The Government today announced it would extend its payment card scheme to all teen parents and many 18 and 19 year old
beneficiaries.
“Labour's popular KickStart policy gets young job seekers off the unemployment benefit and into apprenticeships by
providing employers the equivalent of the dole to take them on for a year as an apprentice.
“That is a far more positive outcome for young New Zealanders than National's approach of controlling what young people
spend their money on.
“The fact remains that since National took office far too many young people have been left on the scrap heap. That is
not a success - it is a tragic waste of potential.
“It’s past time National woke up to the looming skills shortage facing the country. A smart Government with the right
policies would be working to fill the gaps now,” Sue Moroney said.