4th October 2010
For Immediate Release

Taskforce Report Overlooks Investment In Education And Fair Pay

Don Brash and his 2025 Taskforce have repeated their mistakes by continuing to overlook investment in education and fair pay as a means of closing the wage gap with Australia, according to the education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa.

The 2025 Taskforce has released its second report into how to close the income and productivity gap with Australia by 2025 and deliver the growth needed for a stronger, more prosperous economy.

The report harks back to a privatisation agenda which would see public investment in education slashed.

“That sort of agenda makes no sense when it is widely accepted that investment in public education is what makes the difference in terms of giving people the skills they need to contribute to the economy and be productive,” says NZEI National Secretary Paul Goulter.

The Taskforce also reiterates that universal subsidies for early childhood education should be removed.

Paul Goulter says “we are already seeing a growing public backlash to this government’s savage cuts to early childhood services. Those cuts were made despite clear evidence that investment in early childhood education provides huge social and economic benefits and that New Zealand already spends well below the OECD average on early childhood education.”

Nowhere in the report does the Taskforce mention boosting pay rates to narrow the wage gap and keep skilled workers in the country. New Zealand loses hundreds of trained teachers to Australia every year where starting salaries are up to $20,000 higher.

“Lifting real wages and investing in education are the keys to economic growth. What Don Brash should be telling this government is that it should back up its words with action on closing the wage gap and pay people what they’re worth,” says Mr Goulter.
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