Media Statement
23 May 2002

Laila Harré comments on Budget 2002

Alliance leader Laila Harré has said that today’s budget is another step in the right direction and has signalled key areas where the Alliance would go further.

“The Alliance is particularly pleased by the funding for paid parental leave and by the new money for primary health care, out of school care, regional development and tertiary education, “ said Ms Harré.

“There are some key policies in this budget which demonstrate the real value of the Alliance being in Government.”

Laila Harré identified those policies as:

- $186 million for housing
- Paid Parental Leave
- Doubling Modern Apprenticeships
- Real money for out of school care
- Boosting regional development programmes
- Implementing the Primary Health Care Strategy
- Continuing the tertiary fees freeze

She said the Alliance was disappointed to miss out on new funding it sought to:

- provide student allowances for a further 12 000 students,
- extend free doctors visits for all school children, and
- raise family support payments

“Budget 2002 is a Labour-Alliance budget on Labour’s revenue programme. We have done well with the money available. But the Alliance will continue to seek substantially more to fully address our social and economic development needs.”

“If we are serious about getting New Zealand back into the top half of the OECD, then Alliance-style social investment will be needed.”

ENDS

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