Alliance bins Key's spin and says lets build a New Zealand based on social justice

The Alliance Party says the John Key speech on the "underclass" in Burnside yesterday was a "pile of public relations tripe."

Alliance President Victor Billot says "When it comes to the Nats, judge them by what they do, not what they say."

"The simple fact is the underclass in New Zealand is a direct result of immoral, right-wing policies of the type that National and Labour Government's introduced over the 1980s and 1990s. Frankly, it is sickening to watch the creepy moralizing now after what they did."

Mr Billot says the problem goes back a generation and was based around unemployment and insecure and casual jobs.

He says National is quite happy to sacrifice low income New Zealanders and the underclass, in order to transfer wealth to the already rich ruling class and the overseas corporations that now own much of New Zealand.

"Last time National delivered their so-called decent society in the 1990s we saw mass unemployment, benefit cuts, sell off of public assets and an attack on workers wages and conditions. They cannot, should not and must not be allowed to damage the future of young working class kids again."

"Full secure employment was once the basis of economic policy in New Zealand, and as soon as it was dumped things have gone downhill. There are a lot of people and families out there who were badly hurt and it is no surprise whatsoever that some are struggling after the knocks they have been given over the years."

Mr Billot says the low wages, insecure jobs, casualization, shift work, and spiralling costs faced by many New Zealanders are the prime cause of social problems and the breakdown in community values.

"The first thing to throw out is the hypocritical moral sermonizing, and then promote policies that generate security and equality. Free market capitalism has no values except what's in it for me, so we need to use principles of social justice, solidarity and democracy to guide us."

Mr Billot says that identifying a "underclass" was hiding the fact that many working people were struggling as well.

"There is simply no way that many people can afford to buy a house even if they are working, and once again this is because our economy is driven by speculation and greed rather than planning for people's need."

The Alliance is backing a range of practical policies including public works, a state house building programme, massive investment in public education and health, public ownership of major assets, and a substantial lift in the minimum wage and benefits together with a progressive tax system.

Mr Billot says there is a simple response when Mr Key starts waffling about tax cuts for business donations to charities.

"The only way to get proper funding to pay for good quality housing, schooling and health is for businesses and the wealthy to pay a fair share of tax."

ENDS

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