"The choice of 7 November will make the election a referendum on this Government's dismal record of dismissing public servants and failing to properly fund public services, Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says. "This date means it will be the public service election."
"It is deeply ironic that this Government determined that the election will be held on Public Service Day, a day that honours the contribution of public service workers to supporting New Zealanders, when they have axed more than 2,700 jobs from health and thousands more from other public services," Fitzsimons says.
"The election will be a referendum on this Government's appalling record on cuts to public services and the dismissals of thousands of public servants who had more to give their work and New Zealand.
"In the 290 days between now and the election, the PSA will be campaigning every day against further attacks on public services and for properly funded health, community, local government and public services.
"This is a government that has starved the public service of the funding it needs, that has axed the experts helping us meet the challenges we face and has denigrated the contributions of public service workers.
"On November 7 voters will have an important choice to make about the kind of future they want for our country and how public services can support them to live the lives they want.
"The PSA will be working hard over the next 290 days to remind New Zealanders what is at stake and of the importance of public services to this country," Fitzsimons says.
