Hon George Hawkins
Housing spokesperson

11 December 2008 Media Statement

National’s back-down on state housing cap weasel words

Nationals’ reported back down on a state housing cap is nothing more than an attempt to cover-up a publicly unpopular stance, Labour Party Housing spokesperson George Hawkins said

“National now needs to tell the people of South Auckland where they will build these additional state houses, how many there will be, and when they are going to built.”

“On radio this morning Housing Minister Phil Heatley refused to provide any details of how many state houses would be built in South Auckland, and refused to say whether National had a target for reducing the number of people on state housing waiting lists,” Mr Hawkins said.

“Where is the detail? Mr Heatley’s says that he has officials looking at the issue, but that isn’t good enough. It’s not good enough for the people on state house waiting lists, its simply fobbing off people who deserve better.

“National had nine years in opposition to come up with a plan, and Mr Heatley has clearly admitted today they have no plan to help people on low incomes in desperate need of housing assistance.”

“The admission from Phil Heatley that he changed his stance only after reading the Briefing for the Incoming Minister of Housing, shows that his original decision was poor and ill-informed, and I believe that stands true not just for South Auckland but for all of New Zealand, “Mr Hawkins said.

“Let’s now hope they admit they got it wrong when scrapping the $1 billion retrofit of New Zealand homes that would have significantly improved Kiwis health and injected much needed investment into the building industry.”

ENDS

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