David
PARKER
Spokesperson for Finance

20 December 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
There really was a double dip recession!

New figures show New Zealand endured a double-dip recession in 2010, at the same time as National’s ‘tax-switch’ that raised GST came into force, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Parker.

“Historical revisions to GDP published today now show that New Zealand endured a ‘double dip’ recession in the second half of 2010 with -0.3% growth in both the third and fourth quarters of 2010.

“And right in the middle of the recession National’s ‘tax switch’ of a GST rise and cuts to high-income tax came into force. National has trumpeted its tax switch as a boost to the economy. But the truth is it kept growth negative and held the economy in recession.

“National’s tax switch was not only unequal and unfair, it choked off demand and the economy shrank.

“New Zealanders know that the past few years have been tough and most haven’t seen any significant lift in wages or living standards. That’s because the reality is that economic growth has been anaemic.

“National promised it would create a brighter future. It is now clear we suffered a double-dip recession instead. Since then the economy has stagnated. That’s a poor track record.”

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>