Tag Archive for "National"

Posts Tagged ‘National’

National continues to let down students

28 Sep, 2011 by admin

Students and concerned members of the public gathered together today at Parliament in a final attempt to call on the National Government to reject the controversial Voluntary Student Membership Bill that has its Third Reading today.

Ella Hardy, Young Labour President says that “today is a sad day for students as we see the passage of legislation that will work against students and severely damage the future of their Students’ Associations. The support these associations provide to students will be irrevocably damaged.” (more…)

National ‘doesn’t have a clue’

14 Aug, 2011 by admin

Young Labour spokesperson Rory McCourt called today’s welfare policy released by National “an out of touch, misguided attempt to penalise a small number of independent young people for a completely unrelated problem –youth unemployment.”

“It is a leap of logic to assume that youth unemployment would fall due to the creation of a big-brotheresque card that prevents 16 and 17 year old New Zealanders from buying products which they are already prohibited from purchasing”

“While Young Labour agrees that the Government has a role in reducing cigarette and alcohol consumption by underage people, we question whether this policy will have any impact on improving youth health or wealth. It will impact 15,000 young people at most, while there are up to 80,000 youth unemployed.” (more…)

Young Labour suggests budget does great disservice to education sector

21 May, 2010 by Analiese

With more than $12 million a year removed from kindergarten budgets; 3.4 million dollars sliced from schools and community groups and additional funding for fewer than 100 students in each of New Zealand’s universities, Young Labour is seriously concerned that this years budget has been presented at the expense of New Zealand’s youth.

“While many people will be rejoicing about their perceived gain in wealth through tax cuts across the board, Young Labour is gravely concerned about the lack of emphasis that the National Government has put on funding New Zealand’s youth to better themselves through education” said Young Labour President, Analiese Jackson. (more…)

Young Nationals show true colours

8 Oct, 2009 by admin

The Young Nationals today tried to close an Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) meeting which was discussing Sir Roger Douglas’ Education Amendment Bill, which aims to impose VSM (Voluntary Student Membership) upon students’ associations.

During the debate, attended by over 200 Otago students, the Young National delegation, comprising 8 people, attempted to disrupt the debate and prevent a vote being taken on the issue by calling a ‘quorum’ count, and noisily leaving the room during a speech.

“This is more representative of the ACT party’s approach to this issue”, Dunedin Youth Branch co-president Lauren Hourigan said. “Instead of allowing democratic debate and due process to occur, these people want to bully student associations into submission”. (more…)

Nats Drop Glass Ceiling On Women’s Heads

30 Jun, 2009 by admin

“The Minister of Women’s Affairs released a ‘clear goal for New Zealand women’ – ‘Women having real choices and using their strengths to maximise social and economic success’ yet she stood idly by as the specialist unit to achieve pay equity was disestablished in Bill’s slash and burn bonfire budget.” Young Labour’s Women’s Representative Nicole Skews said today.

“The government have tried to sweep this issue aside and deny there is a problem, or even that people cared. This is why Young Labour has joined over 25 other community organisations, women’s groups and unions to rally outside Parliament today and demand action on pay equity.” (more…)

Budget Has Failed: The Facts

2 Jun, 2009 by admin

“We needed a budget for jobs, a budget for skills – a budget for the future,” said Patrick Leyland, Young Labour President, this morning.

“Instead, English stood up on Thursday and shamelessly sold New Zealand’s future for cheap to credit rating companies.”

Young Labour’s two core budget concerns are education and employment. “The Budget is always a calculation of priorities and necessities. But the National Party have got their figures badly wrong.” Mr Leyland explained. (more…)

Young Labour recommends that Smith be isolated indefinitely

1 May, 2009 by admin

Young Labour members around the country were today alarmed to hear of the serious affliction befalling the Environment Minister, Hon. Dr Nick Smith.

Young Labour President, Patrick Leyland said: “Given the uncertain nature of his illness and the very real risk of swine flu, we implore Dr. Smith to have the interests of our country at heart, and stay isolated in the wilderness for an indefinite period of time.”

“We had always been suspicious that Dr Smith could be contagious and congratulate John Key on protecting all New Zealanders by isolating him” (more…)

Open letter to the Young Nats … from Young Labour

8 Oct, 2008 by admin

Dear Young Nats,

In the spirit of fairplay, and after the terrible week you’ve had following the revelations that National MPs routinely mislead the public, we (Young Labour) would like to extend an olive branch.

During the ‘secret agenda’ debacle we looked on sympathetically at the tragic subtext that appeared, apparently Young Nats simply aren’t cool. Not only is it recognised as a general trend, but uncoolness seems to be such a prevalent feature that it can be used to tell Young Nats apart from the wider public! (more…)

Young Labour requests an apology from John Key

7 Aug, 2008 by admin

Young Labour today requests an apology from John Key after Duncan Garner revealed that his source was not a member of Labour, or any other political party.

Young Labour President, Eric Goddard said, “Mr Key has consistently accused Young Labour of being behind the secret recordings of Bill English and Lockwood Smith being caught out telling the truth at their recent conference.”

“I expect an apology for his dishonest accusations, which border on a tantrum-like after having our organisation drawn into this scandal in an attempt to deflect Mr Key’s own short comings as a leader. Kiwis deserve better.” (more…)

National Cops It

28 Jun, 2008 by admin

Today Young Labour challenged National on its most recent announcement about police numbers in New Zealand.

National’s justice spokesperson Simon Power said his party would increase the ratio of police to New Zealanders to 1:500. Currently we have a 1:504 ratio which means National’s policy is to increase the size of the police force by 0.8% increase, or 65 new officers.

“National should stop trying to fool people that they are tough on crime, 65 new police officers is a pathetic goal for New Zealand,” says Young Labour President Eric Goddard. (more…)