It is well known that the Labour Party is taking time to listen at present.
I understand how crucial it is that we provide a strong response to the deeply troubling programme being implemented by this National-led Government. This includes cutting funding for school lunches, supporting cigarette companies and underfunding healthcare despite an ageing population. While Labour will continue to strongly oppose these reckless and shortsighted decisions that conflict with our values, we are also preparing to implement a significantly different programme when we earn the mandate to do so.
I am the Labour Party’s spokesperson for Small Business and Manufacturing, and in that role have been developing plans in collaboration with both the small business and manufacturing sectors. My commitment to a strong, resilient and sustainable manufacturing sector has been front of mind as I’ve observed the Government’s response to the crises at Winston Pulp International in Tangiwai and Oji Fibre Solutions in Penrose. Recently, both mills have announced that they are closing, leading to the losses of 230 and 75 jobs respectively.
Losing a job is often devastating, but having been born in Kawerau — a town that depended on its mill — I recognise the terrible disruption which occurs when a large manufacturer is closed in a town where there are few alternative employers. I’ve seen the social cost of major closures throughout my career as an employment lawyer.
The Government’s response to these crises has highlighted a major difference in how the Labour Party views its role in government as opposed to the current coalition. The Sixth Labour Government led the development of an Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) for the manufacturing sector in collaboration with businesses, unions, workers and other stakeholders. This plan intended to improve productivity and grow and support our manufacturing sector into the future.
This ITP was scrapped by the National-led Government early in its term, leaving the market to its own devices. It leaves behind a vacuum that I believe is simply unacceptable. Governments should support the development of a healthy New Zealand economy that serves its people, and Labour Governments prioritise this.
I am incredibly disappointed to see the consequences of this Government’s approach coming to fruition, such as the loss of jobs. It will lead to families being forced to move or break apart and have social, well-being and mental health consequences. We need more than platitudes on mental health awareness, we need to support great jobs and healthy communities. I intend to develop my plan for manufacturing on that basis.
I thoroughly enjoy, and learn plenty from, my regular meetings with individuals and organisations across the Mt Albert electorate. A recent highlight was taking Labour’s Education Spokesperson, Hon Jan Tinetti, to visit Edendale Primary School in Sandringham, which is New Zealand’s first ‘solarZero' school. In this way, they are contributing to our nationwide effort against climate change.
Climate expert Saul Griffith’s recent report, 'The Electrification Opportunity’, makes the case for electrifying our households and businesses in New Zealand, citing the major economic benefits and the costs of not reducing fossil fuel consumption. The effort being made by the likes of Edendale will make a difference. Electrification will play a major role in the future of our small business sector and manufacturing sector, and I’m excited to continue working in this space.
As always, please get in touch with me or my office if I can be of any assistance to you, your business or your community. (HELEN WHITE)
helen.white@parliament.govt.nz
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