English and Bennett need to demonstrate change, Labour's Little says

Labour leader Andrew Little has congratulated Bill English on his selection as the new prime minister but warned both he and deputy Paula Bennett need to demonstrate they have something new to offer New Zealanders.

"The challenge for them is to demonstrate that as two people who've sat around the same cabinet table led by John Key for the past eight years, that they do truly represent something different. They've basked in John Key's fame and glory, so let's see what happens," Mr Little told reporters after the National caucus confirmed English and Bennett for the roles.

"It's not right in a country like New Zealand that thousands of couples can't afford to buy their first home. It's not right that thousands of elderly people who need hospital care turn up to their hospital and get told the hospital can't afford to treat them. There are some big challenges New Zealand has right now. They've got to demonstrate they understand that and are prepared to do something about it."

Outgoing prime minister Mr Key announced his surprise exit last week despite a dominant position in public polling, ending 10 years as leader of the National Party and eight as prime minister.

Mr English was a key decision maker while Mr Key was prime minister, and was just as responsible for housing being unaffordable and education being underfunded, Mr Little said.

"They are saying they represent change when they've both been part of every decision of this government for the last eight years, so they've got to demonstrate that change – good luck to them," Mr Little said. "Jonathan Coleman is saying there's not enough money for health, Judith Collins is saying there's not enough money for police; let's see whether the new leaders hear those messages and do something about it."

Mr Little said he thought he could beat English in next year's election, describing the National government as out of touch.

"Every issue we have campaigned on this year was debated in the by-election contest last week," Mr Little said. "We've got those issues, we listen to New Zealanders, we know what the concerns are."

Mr Little said the retirement age shouldn't be changed from 65, and the problem with superannuation funding is that the government has not added money to the NZ Superannuation Fund in the past eight years.

"I don't support raising the age of eligibility. That doesn't mean we don't have a lot of work to do to ensure we can afford the future cost of it. That's what the New Zealand super fund was set up for – this government has spent eight years avoiding making any further contribution to it, so we are way behind where that fund needs to be to meet that future rising cost."

MR Little said he was unconvinced by English's u-turn today on marriage equality. English voted against civil unions in 2004, and against marriage equality in 2013 but today said he would probably vote differently now.

"It's easy enough to do, he was pretty clear at the time and he voted accordingly – look at the voting record, that's what it tells you," MR Little said.

(BusinessDesk)