7. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What recent reports has she seen on unemployment?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
I have seen a number of reports on unemployment. Although unemployment is increasing, jobs are still available. In the week ended 22 May 2009, 1,474 people went off the benefit, compared with 1,361 at the same time last year—that is, 113 more people cancelled their benefit. That same week, Work and Income had 904 new vacancies on its books.
Kelvin DavisWhy was nothing in Budget 2009 targeted at reducing the number of Māori unemployed, or at retraining and upskilling Māori so they are better positioned to gain employment once we come out of the recession, as we all know that the Māori unemployment rate is set to spiral?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
I disagree with the member’s assertion. Quite frankly, heaps in the Budget will go to support Māori employment and training.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Let me give members just one example, perhaps, of many we could give. The Open Polytechnic has opened about 1,500 training opportunities for those who have been made redundant or who are on the 9-day working fortnight, and that is having success for Māori with its flexibility.
Can the Minister advise the House on how New Zealand’s employment market is holding up in an international context?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Compared with similar countries our employment figures are holding up quite well. On the official household labour force survey our unemployment level is at 5 percent, while that of Australia is at 5.4 percent, that of the UK is sitting at 7.1 percent, that of the United States is at 8.9 percent, and the formerly high-flying Irish economy is struggling under 10.6 percent unemployment.
Carmel SepuloniIs the Minister aware that Pacific people are disproportionately affected by this recession, with their present unemployment rate being 13.1 percent; if so, why was nothing in Budget 2009 targeted at reducing the number of Pacific unemployed, or at retraining and upskilling Pacific people so they are better positioned to gain employment once we come out of this recession?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
As far as Pacific people are concerned, I received a letter just last week from a group that said how thrilled they were with the investment into infrastructure, because they see that as generating many jobs for their people. They can work on our roads; they can work on those sorts of projects. I commend the Minister of Finance for investing in those projects and for opening up jobs for all peoples.
David GarrettHas the Minister seen any reports on the number of people being fired without reason and ending up on the unemployment benefit as a result of the 90-day trial period law? Does she agree that ACT’s amendment, which brought the legislation into effect earlier, was a good one?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
I have not seen any reports of undue stress for those people. Instead we are seeing people get opportunities that they would not normally have had. We are hearing from employers that they are offering jobs because they know that those people can get into the jobs. It has been quite positive. I thank that member for raising the issue.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
The Opposition may laugh, but it is great that, after three consecutive quarters of unemployment levels rising under the Labour Government’s watch last year while when its members sat back and did nothing, we saw the ReStart redundancy package, the Job Support Scheme, and the success of the Prime Minister’s Job Summit within months under this National Government. All we get is scaremongering and exaggeration of numbers from the Opposition; there was no real action when it had the chance.