David Shearer

Labour Party Leader

18 November 2012

MEDIA STATEMENT

New Zealand: A New Direction

Under my leadership, Labour will take New Zealand in a new direction and make the big changes needed to deal with the challenges we face as a nation, says Labour Leader David Shearer.
 
"National is taking us on a path of disappointment, decline and constant struggle. I won't accept that future for New Zealand.
 
"My path is about reigniting Kiwi values of fairness, building a smart powerful economy and giving New Zealanders the opportunities they need to realise their dreams.
 
"The new direction under Labour will be a hands-on government that’s willing to get involved and back businesses and Kiwis who are working hard to get ahead. It’s not the hands-off, leave it to the market approach of the current government which has failed.
 
The market has failed and so has National when it comes to the deep-seated problem of affordable housing. The Kiwi dream of owning your own home is increasingly out of reach for many New Zealanders. Labour will make that dream a reality.
 
"We will put in place the missing rung on the housing ladder by overseeing and investing in the largest building programme in 50 years. It will put 100,000 Kiwi families into new affordable entry-level homes within 10 years.
 
"This will also boost our stagnating economy and create the decent well-paid jobs we need.
 
"It's time for action. This isn't about big government. It's about being smart, active and using the powerful levers that only a government can use to make a difference to people's lives.
 
"We will also deal with poor quality rental housing by requiring landlords to bring their properties up to minimum standards in terms of insulation and efficient heating. I won't stand by and watch families, and particularly children, live in cold, damp and mouldy homes, where their health and future suffers. 
 
"New Zealanders deserve better. It is time for the government to lift its sights and get stuck in —and under Labour it will.
 
"Labour has always been the Party that is prepared to make the big changes and that's what we will do again so that New Zealand flourishes,” said David Shearer.

ENDS

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