Media statement
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2004

Jobs Jolt small, though practical initiative

The Jobs Jolt programme with 259 areas barred to more people on the dole moving to them is a small, practical way to get more people into the workforce, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

"New Zealand can't afford to have more people shift to the beach or bush to live the life of Riley at the expense of those in work," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.

"We need all hands on deck to help build better community standards of living.

"The Jobs Jolt programme is a useful response to the labour shortages many employers are facing.

"Its ironic the Greens oppose it; the Greens think communities barred from getting more people on the dole are disadvantaged. Most people would think they will benefit."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>