Edmonds Slams Government Over Rising Unemployment and Welfare Cuts
New Zealand's economy is facing a crisis, according to Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. With unemployment rates soaring to 5.6%, Edmonds argues that the government has pulled investment out of the economy at precisely the wrong time.
This has left workers, young people, and struggling families paying the price, she says. Edmonds points out that Māori and Pasifika unemployment is disproportionately high, with youth unemployment also a significant concern.
The government's economic policies have failed to deliver on promises of an economic recovery, Edmonds claims. She criticizes welfare cuts and the struggle beneficiaries face in accessing hardship assistance, as well as child poverty and food insecurity.
Edmonds outlines Labour's plans for apprenticeships and graduate nurses, which she believes will help address the skills shortage and create jobs. However, she also highlights the economic threat posed by a major El Niño weather cycle, which could have severe consequences for New Zealand's economy.