Labour criticises job losses amidst increased spending claims.
The National government is facing criticism from Labour for its plan to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand's Defence Force. Despite announcing plans to increase focus and spending in the sector, the proposal to axe 374 roles has been met with opposition.
According to Labour's Defence spokesperson Peeni Henare, the cuts will negatively impact the Defence Force's ability to function effectively. "If we want more people joining our Defence Force, getting rid of the people who make uniformed personnel's jobs easier isn't a good start," he said. The proposed job losses include roles that support Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel.
Labour has accused the National government of not matching its rhetoric with reality, citing previous instances where promises were made but not fulfilled. Peeni Henare believes the cuts will deter people from joining the Defence Force, rather than encouraging them to do so. The Labour party is calling on the government to rethink its proposal and consider alternative solutions that benefit the Defence Force as a whole.
The proposed job losses are part of a larger plan to restructure the Defence Force, but details about how this will be achieved have not been released.