Douglas praises ‘people’ policy

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 1

Douglas praises ‘people’ policy

By

DAVE WILSON

A people-oriented Budget was described as a welcome and refreshing emphasis of policy by the president of the Council of Trade Unions, Mr Ken Douglas. Compensation 'for the low-paid for the recent GST increase, and moves to reintroduce security for the incomes of the elderly and to protect people from sickness and incapacity were described as very positive moves. Mr Douglas said there was clear evidence that the scorched earth approach to economic policy had ended. The C.T.U.’s vice-president, Ms Angela Foulkes, said the council was prepared to take a constructive approach in talks to improve and widen the Accident Compensation scheme. She believed any review pf the scheme must respect its founding principles of real compensation, comprehensive entitlement, complete rehabilitation, community responsibility and administrative efficiency. The C.T.U. indicated general support for the concept of A.C.C. coverage being extended to illness as well as accidehtvictims. But Ms Foulkes said the announced reduction in the A.C.C. levy was premature and should have been part of the scheme’s review* ■ She indicated C.T.U. support for the priority accorded by the Government to early childhood care and education, and' applauded the extra funding to this area. ,