5 March, 2012

National needs to stop driving people to Australia

“National has failed to promote a vision for New Zealand that inspires New Zealanders to stay despite challenging times,” said Green Party co-leader Dr Russel Norman in response to immigration data out today that shows record numbers of New Zealanders leaving for Australia in the January 2012 year.

“A nation needs a vision. People need to be confident that their Government has an economic strategy for creating good jobs and a vision for a clean green New Zealand.

“National has failed to provide that strategy or vision. Instead, they are flogging off assets and land to pay the bills and proposing to risk our environment for short-term mining gain.

“Flogging off land and assets to overseas owners and mining our treasured places doesn’t inspire people to stay.

“The Green Party’s vision for New Zealand’s economy is one that is clean and smart, offering good-paying jobs that are also good for the environment.

“National needs to focus less on punishing those unable to find work, and focus more on creating good green jobs,” Dr Norman said.

ENDS

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