Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
Spokesperson on Pacific Island Affairs

11 February 2009
Media Statement

Pacific community needs concrete commitments

The Pacific community will expect more than a “meet and greet” with its new Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu tomorrow - it will want firm commitments on a range of fronts, says Labour’s Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

“Georgina te Heuheu has had very little to say about her portfolio since her appointment and her first formal welcoming ceremony in Mangere tomorrow will provide a perfect opportunity to outline her Government’s Pasifika agenda.

“The Pacific community will be reeling from the recent figures which show Pacific peoples have already been disproportionately affected by the recession – with the community’s unemployment rates jumping from 5.2 per cent to 7.8 per cent.

“With predictions the recession will result in growing unemployment, Pacific people will be particularly concerned by the steps already taken by National which will do little to bolster the ability of our families to weather the storm.

“The 90 day hire and fire law, tax changes which will see families earning less than $44,000 paying more tax and subsidising the more affluent and the pitiful minimum wage increases were bad news for Pacific workers and they will be fearful about what’s coming next,” said Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

“Georgina te Heuheu needs to outline what specific responses the Government is developing to protect lower income communities who are more vulnerable in a recession and she needs to commit to keeping and building on the many initiatives developed by Labour for the Pacific communities.

“Is she committed to the Pacific Economic Action Plan and the Pacific Women’s Economic Development Plan launched by Labour? Will there be continued investment in early childhood, modern apprenticeship, health and other initiatives which benefit the Pacific community?” asked Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

“I look forward to some firm direction from the minister – it’s about time.”

ENDS

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