“Do-Nothing” Approach Widens Trans-Tasman Gap

Labour Leader Phil Goff says National’s “do-nothing” approach is to blame for the wage gap with Australia widening.

Phil Goff said a recent survey showed that 78 per cent of Australian companies are planning to lift salary levels this year compared to New Zealand companies where just 55 per cent are planning to do the same. In Australia 55 per cent of firms intend to increase staff levels, double the percentage in New Zealand.

“The only area where New Zealand has caught up with Australia is unemployment. Unfortunately our unemployment rate is well ahead of our trans-Tasman neighbours,” Phil Goff said.

“At 7.3 per cent our unemployment is running nearly 2 per cent higher than Australia’s. 168,000 Kiwis are now unemployed and nothing the Prime Minister said in his opening address to Parliament is going to change that.

“The aggressive approach taken by Australia’s Government is now paying dividends with Australians now getting back to work. The Kiwi experience though, is the complete opposite.

“As a result there are signals that the pick up in Australia could see our best brains lured across the Tasman as 78 per cent of Australian businesses look to increase their wages in line with inflation.

“The contrast could not be clearer. Australia is benefiting from Government action. New Zealand is suffering from National’s inaction,” Phil Goff said.

ENDS

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