Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

"Are votes more important than jobs?"

"Are votes more important than jobs?"

Wellington students were concerned last week at Labour deputy-leader Michael Cullen's flippant attitude towards employment. At a public meeting, local student and Young National Brendan Pallesen raised concerns over job losses on the West Coast with Dr Cullen but was fobbed off with the line "It's only 100 jobs".

"If this is Labour's attitude towards jobs for New Zealanders, then many other regions should start worrying about the possibility of a Labour government," said Mr Pallesen. "Where else will Labour be willing to sacrifice jobs in order to grab a few votes?"

Dr Cullen's figure of 100 jobs was also well off the mark, according to Mr Pallesen. "It's actually 200 jobs that will be lost, plus another 200 potential jobs from new forestry operations. And it's been estimated that up to 4,000 jobs could be lost throughout the furniture manufacturing industry."

"Nobody wants to see our environment destroyed. But if the logging is sustainable, and the forests will regrow, then the West Coast should be able to earn an honest living. Dr Cullen knows this, but their policy is about cynical politicking rather than reason and logic."

Mr Pallesen said that Dr Cullen has revealed his true attitude towards the West Coast this week. "When I asked him about the West Coast being the birthplace of the Labour party, he simply sneered that 'the world is very different now from 1916 and the people of the West Coast have to realise that'".

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.