Public Services Are Vital
Strong and responsive public services are vital for a strong social and economic future. But public services and public sector workers have been under constant attack. Since 2008 we have witnessed:
- More than 2,000 jobs lost in the core state sector;
- Health funding cuts with $127 million less in the Health Vote for 2011 than what is required to deliver the current level of health services;
- Funding cuts in adult community education, early childhood education, and caps on the number of people in tertiary education;
- Tougher ACC rules applied resulting in reduced treatment services after an injury;
- Stronger benefit rules during a period of very high unemployment;
- Funding cuts to community services including school health services, the 45 women’s refuges and contracts lost for family violence co-coordinators and child advocates.
The government wants to reduce government spending. Yet New Zealand's expenditure is below the OECD average. Reduced government spending and more public service cuts are likely to tip New Zealand back into recession and will make recovery even harder.
