Hereora Dave: General Debates 
Hereora Dave: General Debates 
[Volume:616;Page:11732] 
DAVE HEREORA (Labour) 
: 
 In relation to the comments made by the previous speaker in terms of the National Party’s policy over race-based funding it concerns me that that policy has caused a huge division in our nation—an unacceptable division between Maori and non-Maori. Dr Don Brash’s refusal to commit to an inquiry is a typical cop-out. It is running away from the issues. Dr Don Brash cannot claim that the treaty is not remotely a blueprint for building a modern prosperous New Zealand and just walk away from that statement. He should commit to an inquiry. That would provide an opportunity for the public in particular to participate in that debate and hence to be a part of it as we evolve as a nation. I have heard comments from Dr Don Brash that instil that division further. He has suggested that he would hire a Pakeha over a Maori of equal merit because he said Maori could claim unlimited tangi leave. That is totally unacceptable. 
I move on to the Government’s policy in relation to needs-based funding. It is important that we look at the recent anniversary of the Hikoi of Hope and the reasons surrounding that hikoi. Primarily it was to do with poverty particularly that of whanau and family. Some of the problems that people experienced were that they could not get access to basic health-care and education. Five years on I believe it is necessary to place on record Labour’s commitment to and accountability concerning those issues. 
Unemployment was at 7.4 percent in 1998. It was down to just 4.6 percent last year. Job growth has averaged 44000 per year since this Government was elected and in that respect in relation to one of the issues from the Hikoi of Hope Labour has delivered. Income and benefit levels have lifted people out of poverty. We have increased the minimum wage five times in 5 years from $7 per hour in 1998 to $9 per hour this year. That is about an extra $80 per week. We should also not forget what we have done in housing. We have returned to income-related rents for State houses so that low-income families pay no more than 25 percent of their income on rent. I recall clearly that the National Party sold off State houses and depleted the stock. Where is the point in that? 
R Doug Woolerton 
: Yes they did—thousands. 
DAVE HEREORA 
: It sold thousands of them. We have also made education accessible. It is a key fundamental to learning. We have stopped the 15 percent per year average increase in tertiary fees. We are now experiencing record numbers of New Zealanders in workplace training and I understand that we have over 6000 in Modern Apprenticeships at this stage. 
 Let us look at the health system. It needed to be accessible. I understand that more than 2 million New Zealanders are now enrolled in primary health organisations—that means about one in every four New Zealanders has access to low-cost primary health care. I think that is wonderful. It shows that Labour has the right policies in place to ensure that we are caring for families in New Zealand. 
With regard to industry training our target is to have at least 150000 New Zealanders in industry training during 2005 and 250000 new trainees by 2007. This is part of an overall goal to have all 15 to 19-year-olds in suitable education training or work by 2007. We are ensuring a skilled workforce for the future. Our Government has aggressively expanded industry training so that New Zealand can become a world-beating knowledge economy and society. Industry training gives people in employment the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications through a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job learning. More skills in our workforce will lead to higher productivity more innovative products and services and secure employment opportunities. We have revitalised industry training. 
Since the Labour-led Government came to office in late 1999 the number of workers participating in industry has grown by a massive 56 percent. There are now 126870 people in industry training. That is a big increase on just under 50000 as at June 1999.