Cunliffe “Underwhelmed” by Key's State of the Nation Speech

Cunliffe “Underwhelmed” by Key's State of the Nation Speech

David Cunliffe press standup – 23 January 2013

Scoop Audio+Photos

By Hamish Cardwell

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Labour Leader David Cunliffe said he was “underwhelmed” by Prime Minister John Key's State of the Nation speech today.

In his annual speech Mr Key laid out new government plans for $359 million worth of spending on establishing specialist teaching roles that reward teacher excellence.

Mr Shearer said Labour would be releasing its own education plans . in his own State of the Nation speech on Monday, as well as in the coming months, which would also include teacher incentives. However, incentives were just part of a package of changes. Paying bonuses to teachers would not change the underlying poverty issues facing New Zealand children.

You can't look at education in isolation from poverty, he said.

Mr Key's state of the nation speech did not include plans for where to take the New Zealand economy, or have give any direction on environmental policy. It was a “six page apology for Hekia Parata”, he said.

Listen to full audio of press conference below.

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