Sue
Moroney

Social Development Spokesperson

11 August 2014 MEDIA STATEMENT
Young job seekers dealt a poor hand

National's "keep 'em poor" card for young people on a benefit is a sorry substitute for job training, Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Sue Moroney says.

The Government today announced it would extend its payment card scheme to all teen parents and many 18 and 19 year old beneficiaries.

“Labour's popular KickStart policy gets young job seekers off the unemployment benefit and into apprenticeships by providing employers the equivalent of the dole to take them on for a year as an apprentice.

“That is a far more positive outcome for young New Zealanders than National's approach of controlling what young people spend their money on.

“The fact remains that since National took office far too many young people have been left on the scrap heap. That is not a success - it is a tragic waste of potential.

“It’s past time National woke up to the looming skills shortage facing the country. A smart Government with the right policies would be working to fill the gaps now,” Sue Moroney said.

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