National’s Budget 2017 is an irresponsible election bribe which after nine years exposes a government that’s run out of energy and ideas to tackle the big issues facing New Zealand,” says Labour Leader Andrew Little.

“This is simply cynical electioneering that does nothing to address the shortfalls in health, housing and education, and in fact makes them worse.

Good morning everyone, and thank you Grant for your introduction.

I want to acknowledge the Chamber’s President Peter Cullen, and your CEO John Milford.

It’s great to be with you all this morning to present Labour’s vision for our economy; our commitment to shared prosperity; our determination to creating opportunities for all New Zealanders.

A big focus of my leadership of the Labour Party has been about creating more opportunities for young people. It’s only by giving people the freedom to achieve their goals that we can ensure they get a shot at the Kiwi dream.

If you look at the policies we’ve launched in the last two years – three years free tertiary education, dole for apprenticeships, building 100,000 affordable homes for first home buyers, entrepreneur grants for young people – they’re about creating opportunities for people that they increasingly don’t have under the current government.

The latest Household Labour Force figures reinforce the case to better prepare our young people for the future, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little.

“Worryingly, the number of young people who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) increased by 3,000 from the last quarter to 74,000.

Labour will accelerate development of a light rail system for the Auckland isthmus to tackle the city’s worsening congestion problems, says Opposition Leader Andrew Little.

“Right now, gridlock is choking Auckland’s ability to grow. Auckland is crying out for innovative infrastructure projects to get the city moving, but the Government is out of touch and ignoring the problem. Labour will deliver, starting with a modern light rail line.

Helen Kelly was a passionate advocate for working New Zealanders and for a safe and decent working life, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little says. 

“Helen Kelly spent her adult life fighting for the right of every working person to have dignity and a better life.  

National’s shambolic handling of the housing crisis has today resulted in the Government opposing common sense measures to help more Kiwi families into homes, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little says.

“Despite knowing for the past three years the laws around Special Housing Areas were to lapse next week, Housing Minister Nick Smith has unnecessarily pushed through patch-up legislation under urgency.

Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little acknowledges the Auditor-General’s report into the awarding of the management contract for the Scenic Matavai Resort in Niue, which was unable to address the key issues raised.

The report states the Auditor-General:

The National Government must accept responsibility for rising rates of crime and unsolved burglaries because it has underfunded Police, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little says.

“Police are desperately under-resourced and have been told there will be no staffing increases until 2020.

The fact that more than 300 sections are shamelessly being advertised on Trade Me as land-banking opportunities during a housing crisis shows the need for a crackdown on property speculators, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little says.

“Of the 328 land-banking opportunities being advertised, one third of them – or 110 – are in Auckland where families are desperate for homes to buy.