Latest news with #Labours
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Questions Piling Up About Labour's Debt And Tax Approach
Press Release – New Zealand National Party Labours fiscal position is becoming less clear by the day. Theyve opposed every savings measure weve undertaken and committed to expensive promises like reinstating locally made school lunches, reinstating half-price public transport and reversing … Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has this morning refused to commit to the 50 per cent debt ceiling, just days after his Finance Spokesperson did exactly that, says National Party Finance Spokesperson Nicola Willis. 'It's hard to know where Labour stands on basically anything, with Chris Hipkins constantly changing position and undermining his own Finance Spokesperson. 'This morning on RNZ, the Labour Leader refused to commit to the same debt ceiling Barbara Edmonds committed to just a few days ago. Even Grant Robertson recognised this was the highest debt should go. 'Labour's fiscal position is becoming less clear by the day. They've opposed every savings measure we've undertaken and committed to expensive promises like reinstating locally made school lunches, reinstating half-price public transport and reversing changes to pay equity laws. 'At the same time, they're claiming they will spend more on health and education and won't cancel any projects this Government starts, while committing to a debt cap, refusing to commit to a debt cap and declining to tell Kiwis which taxes are on the table. 'Just last week in his pre-budget speech, Hipkins attacked those who argue for a more sensible approach to debt and said we need a 'more mature conversation about debt.' 'He could start with a conversation with his own caucus about what on earth Labour's position is. Then he can start being upfront with New Zealanders about exactly how much debt a Labour-Greens-Te Pati Māori Government would take on and which taxes it would hike.' Barbara Edmonds on the debt cap, May 17, 2025 Chris Hipkins on the debt cap, May 20, 2025
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Questions Over Erica Stanford's Personal Email Use
Press Release – New Zealand Labour Party Documents show the Education Minister has sent sensitive government information to an unprotected email address, Labours education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said. Erica Stanford has been misusing her personal email address to manage sensitive information relating to Budget and visa changes prior to their public release. 'Documents show the Education Minister has sent sensitive government information to an unprotected email address,' Labour's education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said. 'We're talking about serious government decisions that affect peoples' lives and have millions of taxpayer dollars attached to them. Ministers have a responsibility to keep this information safe. 'Going off the grid with sensitive information is hanging a welcome sign to threats to our national security. 'In 2023 the Cabinet Manual was updated, and now specifically states 'As far as possible, Ministers should not use their personal email account or phone number to conduct ministerial business.' This goes far beyond that. 'We have rules for a reason and Erica Stanford isn't above them. She needs to be upfront about what she is using her personal email for and how much sensitive information has been shared,' Willow-Jean Prime said.
