22 July 2002 SPEECH

Jim Anderton MP
Leader of the Progressive Coalition

Vote for jobs

1:15 pm
Monday, 22 July 2002
NZ School of Outdoor Studies (Conservation Corps)
Main Hall, NZSOS Wikitoria Premises, Kerr St, Devonport

I understand you are all learning how hard election campaigns can be.

In the last four weeks I have traveled to 15 centres. I have spoken to over 30 groups.

I have traveled nearly every single day.

You however are spending a day listening to political representatives from every political party, which may well be a lot harder.

Worse still you are only half way through and you have another three more to come.

I will try to be brief.

The Progressive Coalition is committed to seeing everyone under 20 in jobs education or training by 2005.

This will mean extending programmes we already have running in Canterbury to see that every school leaver is placed in a job, an apprenticeship, or training for a job or is furthering their education at a polytechnic or university.

In the 1990s even the word ¡¥apprentice¡¦; became bad joke in New Zealand.

Under this Government 3000 Modern Apprenticeships have been created. The Progressive Coalition wants to increase the number from 3000 to 6000 over the next two years.

The Progressive Coalition also want to ensure we have 100,000 people are in skills training by 2005, up from 68,000 now.

We will progressively lower the cost of tertiary education until it is free.

This will require us to gradually wipe out the student loan scheme, eliminate student fees for first year students and improve the student living allowance for young people who are studying.

Training and investment in our businesses will make the New Zealand economy and our communities stronger. Every region is now in positive growth mode for the first time in many years and we have the lowest level of unemployment for fifteen years.

If we halved the rate of unemployment, I am sure we would reduce the level of sickness, housing problems, and poverty ¡V not to mention crime.

We still have to fully fund our health system and I am committed to that starting with free doctors visits for all school aged children next year and then for the elderly the year after that.

Full employment has many benefits.

If you halved the rate of unemployment overnight, the crime rate would drop by half.

I saw a survey published last year that asked New Zealanders what we would like to be known for.

A significant group said it was our clean environment and the unique physical beauty of New Zealand.

A larger group said it was our fair, open, secure and stable society, with a strong health and education system.

And I agree that both of these are descriptions of a New Zealand that I am proud of.

But the largest group said they wanted New Zealand to be known for its creativity and innovation.

I believe if New Zealand had to nominate our biggest strength it would be our ability to innovate.

„h Deputy PM Singapore
„h Bruce McLaren

You too can achieve your goals. Provided you are not prevented from doing so by the poor performance of the New Zealand economy.

If you want to vote for more jobs, full employment, as well as the economic progress that goes with it, the Progressive Coalition is the party to which you should give your party vote.

I believe that the Progressive Coalition can get 5 to 6 seats - but that needs you, and all New Zealanders, to make the choice to continue the success of the current government.

A Party vote of 1.21% for the Progressive Coalition will achieve 2 MPs ¡V 2.02 per cent equals 3 MPs, 2.83 equals 4 and 3.6 will deliver 5 seats and 4.31 per cent 6. That is the minimum I hope for, and the minimum we will need to really make a difference. Impossible? I don¡¦t think so.

In the last two and half years through the Ministry of Economic, Industry and Regional Development we have re-engaged with the regions, local government, unions, local communities and businesses as partners in creating jobs.

For the first time in most people's memory, every single region is in positive growth and many over 4 per cent.

There are 104,000 more jobs than there were 3 years ago, 1 new job every twelve and half minutes of the past two and a half years.

I want us, as a country, to continue this work.

I want all of you to have good high paying jobs or to be running your own businesses.

It is possible.

But it is up to New Zealanders to make their choice as to what they want at the election.

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