Glossy report won’t fix regions’ problems

Steven Joyce’s glossy regional economic activity report has done nothing for creating jobs and growth in the regions, apart from produce more work for his 56 communications staff in Wellington, Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson Grant Robertson said.

“The regions have been neglected by National and no glossy publication can hide that fact.

“Many regions have been hollowed out and are struggling to keep businesses and their young people at home.

“Steven Joyce claims the regions are doing well but all he needs to do is walk down the main street of many regional towns, look at the boarded up shops and talk to the locals.

“Things aren’t getting better; in most regions they are getting worse. Outside Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch GDP growth is below national growth in almost every region.

“Regional development requires hard work engaging with businesses and communities to develop solutions. Mr Joyce thinks 116 pages of statistics produced into a pretty package by his PR staff will do the job.

“Labour’s Economic Upgrade will ensure growth happens across regional New Zealand. Our forestry and manufacturing upgrades, with more industry policies to come, will create jobs and growth in the regions,” Grant Robertson says.

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