Ten reasons why you should vote for LABOUR
Sunny Kaushal,
Labour Party candidate for Pakuranga
1. To own our future:
Keeping the Kiwi-owned earning assets in Kiwi hands. National will sell the assets. Labour won’t. We know that once they’re gone they’re gone. Last year our power companies and airline returned nearly a billion dollars in dividends. It’s no wonder that foreigners are so interested in getting their hands on them! Labour will pay back out country’s debt faster than National without selling the assets.
2. A Fairer and Smarter tax system
Fairness means that when times are tough, everyone gets a fair go and everyone pays their fair share. At the moment, some New Zealanders aren't paying their fair share and are leaving it to others to shoulder the burden. A fairer and smarter tax system will help to provide some relief for low and middle income people who are struggling..
3. Cost of Living
Labour will give families a tax break and relief to average working New Zealanders currently struggling with High Cost of living under National Government. We will make first $5000 a person earns tax-free. GST will be removed from fresh fruit and vegetables. nimum wage $15.00 per hour.
4. Jobs and Skills:
We’ll invest in our young people to get them into work, and we’ll support the businesses that take them on. Labour will train more apprentices. We’ll get 9000 young people off the dole and into training. We’ll channel their dole payments into employer subsidies. We’ll get them working in Canterbury and around the country. Labour will ensure all teenagers are either earning and learning. A Labour Government will use major government contracts to back NZ firms instead of exporting jobs offshore. Contracts will be awarded fairly providing the best deal for New Zealand and New Zealanders. It’s about Kiwi jobs, Kiwi skills and Kiwi industries. It’s about our future.
5. It is about our Kids
Labour is committed to making a major investment in children, starting at the beginning – up to the age of six. Ensurong every 3 and 4 year old has access to free 20 hours Early Childhood Education a week, maintain fees control, work with the sector to reinstate 100% qualified teachers and restore cuts made by this government over time; We’ll establish a Ministry for Children and make sure that kids are its priority – not just in theory, but in practice.
6. Savings
Labour will make KiwiSaver universal, simpler and compulsory for all wage and salary earners. Restarting contributions to the New Zealand Super Fund.
7. Better Transport System
Labour will partner with the Auckland Council to give Aucklanders the world-class transport system they deserve. Labour will provide funding of $1.2 billion from the Land Transport Fund for the rail link --- half the proposed cost --- on the understanding that the Auckland Council is responsible for funding the other half. This investment will get Auckland moving. It was time to "unchoke the heart of Auckland".
8. Ethnic Policy
Labour will establish a new Ministry of Ethnic Affairs. Taking ethnic participation from symbolism to nation building. Deepen the level of New Zealand’s awareness and understanding of ethnic communities and our growing diversity. Consult widely and constantly with ethnic communities. Constructively work to eliminate “everyday racism”. Increase ethnic participation in leadership roles in New Zealand
9. Law and Order
Labour is committed to Making all 62 one-person police stations in New Zealand two-person stations. Petty Crimes mst be treated seriously. Labour is committed to developing long-term programmes that prioritise prevention and that will endure across the short-term ‘getting tough on crime’ pressures of the electoral cycle. ur aim is to extend the community policing model we implemented in our last term. This means working with communities to determine the policing programmes they need to target particular crime hot spots such as youth crime, burglary and family violence.
10. Best Health and Education
Labour’s health funding to keep pace with a growing, ageing population. Free 24/7 doctor visits for children under six. Ring-fenced funding for mental health services. Sustainable funding for aged care. More affordable dental care. Consistent, nationwide access to quality hospital services. A highly skilled, highly motivated workforce. All core government policies to have health impact assessments. Labour’s education policy recognises children and young people are New Zealand’s future and that every one of them deserves access to quality education. We know an education is not just about memorising facts and figures. Our education policy focuses on modernising teaching and learning for all, so our children are prepared for tomorrow’s world.
Ten reasons why you should vote for NATIONAL
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi*
List MP and National Party candidate for Manukau East
National is the party that is delivering more for our Indian community. We are working hard to build a brighter future for New Zealand and our policies benefit hardworking Indians.
1. National is building a stronger economy
National has a straightforward and comprehensive plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy. We are balancing the books sooner by getting back to surplus in three years because it means less debt and lower interest rates for Indian households and businesses. We’re creating incentives for Indians to work hard, save, and get ahead, through changes to tax and welfare. And we are building better roads, broadband and other infrastructure so businesses can grow.
2. National is building world-class infrastructure
National is building New Zealand’s productive infrastructure by increasing investment, setting clear priorities, and improving the regulatory environment. We are improving highway links because this means faster, more reliable connections between cities and markets, which lifts productivity. We are building broadband infrastructure that will help transform New Zealand’s future, promote greater innovation, and grow our economy. We are also investing heavily in infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, our rail networks, and the electricity grid.
3. National will shorten waiting times in hospitals
National will continue to deliver more operations, faster treatment, and a better chance for a healthier life. We will continue to focus on better, sooner, more convenient healthcare for Indians. National’s economic management and focus on efficiency has meant District Health Boards are now providing more care sooner, and significantly improving patient services in our hospitals. We will provide even more elective surgery. We will extend the four-week maximum waiting time target for cancer radiation treatment to include chemotherapy. And we will reduce waiting times for important diagnostic tests and further reduce waiting times in emergency departments.
4. National is protecting our communities
National is building a safer New Zealand with recorded crime down 7 per cent. We have passed 18 new laws to make Indian families safer, we have boosted police on the frontline, we have introduced tougher sentences and parole laws, and we have cracked down on gangs and P. National will stay tough on criminals. We will screen parole applications to reduce unnecessary hearings, increase penalties for child pornography, and introduce civil detention orders for the most high-risk offenders.
5. National is protecting victims of crime
National is committed to putting victims at the heart of the justice system. Victims find themselves in the criminal justice system through no fault of their own and they deserve all the support and services they need. We introduced a $50 offender levy, which funds 13 new services and entitlements for victims. National will double the penalties for breaching a protection order, fund a programme of security improvements for the homes of family violence victims, and keep improving services for victims.
6. National is building better housing
National knows that good housing is important for the health and wellbeing of our Indian families and our communities. We’re focused on making sure that all New Zealanders have a warm, dry, and health place to live. We are well on our way to insulating 188,000 homes having already insulated 130,000 homes. We have completed 50,000 upgrades to state housing, including clean heating and necessary maintenance. We have created 2000 jobs during the recession through state housing upgrades. And we have assisted 4400 first-home buyers to get finance. National will increase the supply of social housing through the more effective use of existing resources and we will continue to provide warmer, drier and healthier homes.
7. National is reforming welfare
National is reforming the benefit system to focus on what people can do, not what they can’t. It is not socially or financially sustainable to continue to spend eight billion dollars a year to pay benefits to 12 per cent of working age New Zealanders. We will better support people into employment with an active investment approach. Research shows that children are better off when their parents are in work, not on welfare. We have greater aspirations for New Zealanders and their children, which are achieved through work, not welfare. National’s improvements to the welfare system are expected to result in up to 46,000 people off welfare and another 11,000 working part-time within four years.
8. National is improving employment relations
National will continue to improve employment law. A flexible and fair labour market is critical for building a stronger and more competitive economy. Over the past three years, National has brought a better balance to labour market rules through 90-day trials which has created 13,000 jobs, improving the Holidays Act, and streamlining the personal grievance system. National will introduce a Starting-Out Wage for young people. This will give some of our youngest and most inexperienced workers a much-needed foot in the door. We will also extend flexible working arrangements, continuing to improve collective bargaining and review constructive dismissal.
9. National is building 21st century schools
National has made improving our schools a priority because good schools are vitally important. They provide an opportunity for all children to get ahead and make the most of their lives. National has substantially increased funding to build and upgrade schools. We’ve fast-tracked school building work through the recession and we’ve also provided extra resources to make our schools ready for ultra-fast broadband. Now we are taking the next step. National is modernising and transforming New Zealand’s schools. We will invest $1 billion from the Future Investment Fund to make our schools ready for the 21st Century.
10. National is prioritising science and innovation
National will boost investment in the science sector to transform Industrial Research Limited (IRL) into an advanced technology institute. High-tech sectors could contribute substantially more to the economy than they currently do. Over the next five years, we will effectively double the size and capability of IRL, transforming it into an advanced technology institute with up to 700 staff and with a far greater reach than at present. National will earmark up to $80 million from the Future Investment Fund for capital spending in areas like new buildings and equipment.
*Authorised by by G Hamilton, L2, 2652 Thorndon Quay, Wellington