Conservation Minister needs to start doing her job

Charles Chauvel  |  31 Aug 2010

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson needs to start taking her role as an advocate for New Zealand's natural heritage seriously, Charles Chauvel says.

Environment Spokesperson Charles Chauvel was supporting Science Minister Wayne Mapp's support, expressed today, for the Kermadec Islands Region, 1000 km north of New Zealand, to receive heritage protection.

Government fails to sort out mess

David Cunliffe  |  31 Aug 2010

The Government has clearly known about the difficulties faced by South Canterbury Finance for a long time, and serious questions need to be asked on behalf of New Zealand taxpayers, Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe says.

Tertiary funding squeeze hits Polytechnics

Grant Robertson  |  31 Aug 2010

Hard on the heels of Universities restricting enrolments for 2011, some Polytechnics are now being forced to restrict entry and slash budgets as the government's cuts to tertiary funding take effect, Grant Robertson, Labour Tertiary Education Spokesperson said.

Ethnic Aucklanders under-represented in council controlled organisations

Ashraf Choudhary  |  30 Aug 2010

The list of directors and chairs for Auckland Super City’s council-controlled organisations agreed by Cabinet last week under-represents the Asian and Ethnic voice, Labour’s associate spokesperson for Ethnic Affairs Dr Ashraf Choudhary says.

Water rates announcement a pre-election con-job

Phil Twyford  |  30 Aug 2010

Labour says Rodney Hide’s announcement on water rates is a pre-election con-job designed to calm the nerves of Aucklanders fearing super-city cost blow outs.

Labour’s Auckland Issues Spokesperson Phil Twyford said it is smoke and mirrors for Mr Hide to announce a cut in water rates now but postpone an announcement on waste water charges until mid 2012.

Dalziel says Financial Markets Authority must have wide powers based on enforceable principles

Lianne Dalziel  |  30 Aug 2010

Labour's Commerce spokesperson, Lianne Dalziel, wants the Government to ensure enforceable principles underpin rules that regulate the financial markets.

Speech: “Reviewing Securities & Investment Regulation in New Zealand”

Lianne Dalziel  |  30 Aug 2010

Hon Lianne Dalziel
Labour’s Spokesperson on Commerce
“Reviewing Securities & Investment Regulation in New Zealand”
30th August 2010
Wellington
9.00am

Govt admits it is comfortable with unemployment numbers

Phil Goff  |  29 Aug 2010

The Government admitted today for the first time that unemployment at present levels is a deliberate part of its economic policy, Labour leader Phil Goff said.

Collins or Ryall --- who’s telling the truth?

Clayton Cosgrove  |  29 Aug 2010

Either Corrections Minister Judith Collins has dropped Health Minister Tony Ryall right in it over drug and alcohol treatment in Blenheim, or vice versa, but either way those missing out on treatment are set to suffer, says Labour law and order spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove.

Labour will hold Government to account over Hubbards statutory management once dust is settled

Lianne Dalziel  |  28 Aug 2010

Labour's Commerce spokesperson Lianne Dalziel is concerned the Government has allowed the statutory management of the Hubbards to affect the future of South Canterbury Finance.

"We won't know the full details until the dust has settled, but the Government's refusal to answer questions indicates that there is a prima facie case to answer,” Lianne Dalziel said.