Source: New Zealand Labour Party
Lots of people are finding it tough right now, with prices rising right across the world. New Zealanders need a Prime Minister and Government that understand they pressures they are under – and that has a plan to take practical steps to reduce that pressure and help Kiwis get ahead by prioritising the things that matter most.
Under Chris Hipkins, Labour’s number one priority is to make life easier for New Zealand families. Our cost of living plan will deal with the pressures whānau are facing right now, while laying the foundations for a better future – without making inflation worse, like tax cuts would.
Labour will take GST off fruit and vegetables from 1 April next year, saving families around $20 a month. Food prices are stubbornly high, due to factors like high global inflation and the extreme weather events New Zealand experienced this year. By removing GST from fresh and frozen fruit and vege, we’re making it easier for families to put healthy food on the table. Find out more here.
This year, Labour removed the $5 prescription charge to make it easier for New Zealanders to access the medicines they need. This is already making a real difference for households right across the country, particularly those who have multiple prescriptions to fill on a regular basis.
Labour will increase support for low and middle-income working families, making sure that work pays and assisting with additional costs, such as transport and childcare, for New Zealanders who work, through increases to Working for Families.
We’ve extended targeted childcare assistance to half of New Zealand children, increased funding for Early Childhood Education centres to take pressure off parents, and we will extend 20-hours free ECE to two-year olds from next year.
Labour has made public transport permanently free for children under the age of 13, half priced for under 25 year-olds and one million low-income New Zealanders with a community services card. And we will protect free off-peak travel for SuperGold Card holders.
We will continue building an economy that keeps wages growing ahead of inflation and maintains record low unemployment. We’ve delivered unemployment below 4% for 24 consecutive months. In the last 30 years, unemployment below 4% has only been achieved on one other occasion, between 2004 and 2008.
We will keep a lid on debt and maintain prudent levels of Government spending and returns inflation to the Reserve Bank’s target range. We’ll also take steps to tackle the causes of inflation through improving competition and transitioning away from volatile fossil fuels.
More cost of living measures will be announced during Labour’s election campaign – so make sure to check back soon.
New Zealanders have a clear choice this election. Christopher Luxon and National will push reckless policies that will cut taxes for the wealthiest New Zealanders and cut support for everyone else. National will increase the cost of medicine, ECE and childcare, public transport and fruit and veges. Now is not the time to put Labour’s support for families at risk.
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