Latest news with #BarbaraEdmonds
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Nicola Willis Misleading On Job Numbers
Finance Minister Nicola Willis is misleading Kiwis by claiming she's created jobs when she hasn't. 'In today's Finance and Expenditure Committee hearing, Nicola Willis said that their policies will create 240,000 jobs, but those jobs are because of population growth, not because of her Budget,' Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. 'In fact, there are 30,000 fewer jobs now than when they took office, and Treasury says 20,000 more people will be unemployed at the end of the forecast period. 'She acts like there is a surge in opportunity, but really she's spinning her terrible economic mismanagement to suit her. 'Just like her story on the cost of living, which is falling to pieces before her eyes as she can't find a single family who has received her campaign promise of $250 a fortnight. 'Today will also come as a shock to those who were expecting a Working for Families top up of $7 a week, as promised in the recent Budget – because that won't come in for another year. 'It was the only cost of living relief Nicola Willis could name on Budget Day and it isn't actually going to help anyone until April 2026. 'This Government is misleading on jobs, outlandishly overstating their tax cuts, and have failed to deliver on key cost of living promises. At the same time, they're cutting women's pay in favour of big tax breaks for tobacco, fossil fuel, and big tech companies,' Barbara Edmonds said.
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Oral Questions for Thursday 5 June 2025
Questions to Ministers TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made about increasing the speed limit on State Highway 1? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent reports has she seen on tourism growth and international visitor spending? CAMERON LUXTON to the Associate Minister for the Environment: What recent announcements has he made about reforming freshwater rules? Hon JAN TINETTI to the Minister for Women: Does she stand by all her statements and actions regarding pay equity? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Are local road controlling authorities required to increase speed limits under the Government's policy if one of the reasons for a speed limit reduction since 2020 was proximity to a school, and are impacts on road safety a factor that allows local road controlling authorities to retain safe speeds on streets? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has he made about Milford Sound? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister of Conservation: Has he received any advice on the impact of Conservation funding cuts on jobs and communities; if so, how many jobs have been identified as at risk? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing: What recent announcements has he made in the Hunting and Fishing portfolio? STEVE ABEL to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he agree with the Prime Minister that New Zealand farmers are the "No. 1 most carbon-efficient in the world"; if so, on what factual basis? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister for Vocational Education: Has the Treasury advised the Government that "Demand for tertiary education and training is currently forecast to exceed the volume able to be funded"; if so, what advice has she received about the potential for job losses at New Zealand's Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, and universities? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Vocational Education: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Oral Questions for 3 June 2025
Questions to Ministers CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? LAURA McCLURE to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What recent announcements has she made about reforming WorkSafe? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has she made about business tax? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement about the Budget that "Wages are forecast to grow faster than the inflation rate, making wage earners better off, on average, in real terms"; if so, what is the effect on wage growth over the forecast period of removing the $12.8 billion from future pay equity claims? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What announcements has he made on reforming national direction under the Resource Management Act 1991? TANYA UNKOVICH to the Minister for Resources: What announcements has he made regarding energy security in New Zealand? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement in relation to emergency department wait times, "I expect Health New Zealand to empower clinicians at local levels to fix bottlenecks in real time"; if so, is he confident this has occurred ahead of winter 2025? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Education: What announcements has she made regarding learning support as part of Budget 2025? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon JAN TINETTI to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does she stand by her proposed changes to WorkSafe; if so, why? PAULO GARCIA to the Associate Minister of Housing: What recent announcements has he made about social housing tenancies? Question to Member Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee: Why did he respond to the referral by the House to the Finance and Expenditure Committee of the Regulatory Standards Bill with a six-month reporting deadline by issuing a call for submissions with a four-week deadline? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Reserve Bank Predicts More Job Losses
Press Release – New Zealand Labour Party The Reserve Bank warned about a weakening labour market, with unemployment remaining above 5% and expected to climb further this year. That contradicts Nationals promises of thousands of new jobs in their Budget. Thanks to their choices, more than 15,000 … The Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Statement predicts a sluggish economy with higher inflation and more job losses. 'Just days after Nicola Willis slashed women's pay in order to deliver her so-called 'Growth Budget', growth is now predicted to slow,' Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. 'The Reserve Bank cited low growth, higher inflation in the short term, and higher unemployment as key reasons why they cut rates today. Rate cuts are good for mortgage-holders, but there are some real alarm bells in the RBNZ's statement. 'Specifically, it projected sluggish economic growth of less than 1% in 2025, and said that inflation will continue to rise in the short term. 'Most concerning, the Reserve Bank warned about a weakening labour market, with unemployment remaining above 5% and expected to climb further this year. That contradicts National's promises of thousands of new jobs in their Budget. Thanks to their choices, more than 15,000 construction jobs have been lost. 'The Government claims to have delivered a 'Growth Budget' but the only growth we can see is growing unemployment, growing prices, and a growing pay gap between men and women. 'Instead of helping people through tough times, the Government has chosen to cut jobs and take money from women's future pay, all so they can give it to tobacco, fossil fuel, and big tech companies. 'Labour would make different choices, investing in jobs, health, and homes to grow the economy and lift living standards for everyone,' Barbara Edmonds said.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Reserve Bank Predicts More Job Losses
The Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Statement predicts a sluggish economy with higher inflation and more job losses. 'Just days after Nicola Willis slashed women's pay in order to deliver her so-called 'Growth Budget', growth is now predicted to slow,' Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. 'The Reserve Bank cited low growth, higher inflation in the short term, and higher unemployment as key reasons why they cut rates today. Rate cuts are good for mortgage-holders, but there are some real alarm bells in the RBNZ's statement. 'Specifically, it projected sluggish economic growth of less than 1% in 2025, and said that inflation will continue to rise in the short term. 'Most concerning, the Reserve Bank warned about a weakening labour market, with unemployment remaining above 5% and expected to climb further this year. That contradicts National's promises of thousands of new jobs in their Budget. Thanks to their choices, more than 15,000 construction jobs have been lost. 'The Government claims to have delivered a 'Growth Budget' but the only growth we can see is growing unemployment, growing prices, and a growing pay gap between men and women. 'Instead of helping people through tough times, the Government has chosen to cut jobs and take money from women's future pay, all so they can give it to tobacco, fossil fuel, and big tech companies. 'Labour would make different choices, investing in jobs, health, and homes to grow the economy and lift living standards for everyone,' Barbara Edmonds said.
