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Robertson says New Zealand will not be immune to COVID-19, but it is still doing better than the nations we are comparing ourselves to.
“In Australia, the unemployment rate is 6.9 percent, in the United States it is 8.8 percent and in Canada 10 percent,” he said. “The world will continue to feel the continued impacts of the worst economic shock since the Great Depression, and we have a solid plan here in New Zealand to cushion the blow and invest in the recovery.”
Robertson, who is the new Deputy Prime Minister, acknowledged that employment statistics show that the economic impact of COVID-19 is falling disproportionately on women, Maori and Pacific peoples.
“I will work closely with ministers in these areas to ensure there is inclusive recovery and reconstruction.”
Labor won the election overwhelmingly in October, which some commentators have attributed to the government’s COVID response. But groups like AAAP will be on the lookout for transformative policies now that the Labor Party has a clear mandate.
“This Labor government has the power to change our system of disempowering and dehumanizing people to one that honors everyone’s right to have enough income for themselves and their families to live, regardless of their employment status.”
