CTU Calls For Consensus Around Growth

“The growth figures released today confirm the underlying strength of our economy,” said the secretary of the Council of Trade Unions, Paul Goulter, today

“However, sustainable growth can only come from an active programme of social and economic development,” he said.

“What we need is a consensus around the key factors that will build sustainable growth.”

Paul Goulter said what was needed for growth to be sustained was an inclusive approach involving a wide range of stakeholders.

“As New Zealand is a small trading nation we will always be affected by global trading conditions,” he said.

Paul Goulter said a lot could be done in both the private and public sectors to build a strong economy based on social development, quality investment in public infrastructure, investment in skills and education, and a sustainable approach to the environment.

“What we are not seeing is evidence that the benefits of growth are being shared on a fair basis,” he said.

“Wages are only rising slowly and we still have embedded poverty as a legacy of the 1990s.”

Paul Goulter said to achieve sustainable growth we also need to see industry development plans rolled out to more sectors.

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