8. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What reports has he received on the number of New Zealanders in paid employment?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Acting Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
I have seen a major proposal to tackle unemployment by the reintroduction of a failed Work for the Dole scheme. Under this proposal, unemployment beneficiaries would be forced to work in make-work schemes, where they would earn nothing more than the dole, and where they would have their chances of getting a real job reduced. That major policy announcement came from National spokesperson Judith Collins, which suggests that Bill English is right and that she has been pushed beyond her capacity, because she does not realise that the policy has already proved to be a failure.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
What further reports has the Minister received on the number of New Zealanders in paid employment; and will Ms Collins continue as such?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I have received a report today that shows that we have the best employment and unemployment statistics ever. The latest household labour force survey shows that—and I will do these one at a time—there are fewer unemployed people than ever before, there are more people in paid employment than ever before, the New Zealand labour force is bigger than ever before, more women are employed than ever before, and more Māori are employed than ever before. The good news just keeps rolling out. Meanwhile, the National Party wants to bring back Work for the Dole.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
What reports has he seen on the number of Māori in paid employment since Labour became the Government?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
There is just more good news. I am delighted to report that there are more Māori in paid employment than ever before. Māori unemployment is down to just 7 percent. That is a huge improvement. When National was in Government, Māori unemployment was at 18.6 percent. That is another example of New Zealanders being better off under Labour.