Clare Curran
MP for Dunedin South

17 March 2009 Media Statement
Labour calls for Government investment in jobs and warm homes for Dunedin

Dunedin South Labour MP Clare Curran today called for the National Government to urgently invest in a comprehensive programme to create hundreds of jobs and make Dunedin’s 40,000 cold houses warm and dry.

She will seek support for this idea at tomorrow’s job summit in Dunedin.

“Dunedin already has a programme developed by Dunedin City Council with funding from Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). The programme aims to insulate and heat 2000 Dunedin homes in five months, employing 120 people,” Clare Curran said.

“I understand a reduced version of that programme may go ahead and I applaud that.

“But if the National Government is really serious about creating jobs for Kiwis while we are in the midst of a serious economic recession then it should commit to this important scheme nationwide,” she said.

“In Dunedin, there are 40,000 residential dwellings built before the 1978 insulation standards came in, many of which need urgent attention.

“Under the previous Labour Government, the billion dollar energy efficiency fund, since canned by the National Government, would have assisted families make their homes warmer, drier, healthier, reduce their power bills, save energy and reduce carbon emissions.

“The Labour Party has this week announced a campaign to call on the Government to commit to invest in a job-rich scheme to provide insulation upgrades to households.

“It is estimated that there are one million unhealthy homes in New Zealand. Many of these homes are in Dunedin, according to the Business Council for Sustainability Report: Better Performing Homes for New Zealand.

“Labour Party Leader Phil Goff has called on National to replicate a decision by the Obama administration to invest billions of dollars in energy projects, including improving home insulation for US families.

“The benefits are enormous. Healthy homes mean healthier kiwis, better quality of life, lower power bills, lower greenhouse gas emissions and real jobs just when New Zealand needs them.

“I believe the people of Dunedin deserve warm, dry homes. I also believe that investing in warm dry homes to create jobs for kiwis is just the sort of project we should be getting behind at this time,” said Clare Curran.

ENDS

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