Labour steps up Wairarapa campaign

ON THE TRAIL: On Queen St in Masterton are EPMU organiser Mark James (left), Labour list MP Andrew Little and Wairarapa Labour Party candidate Kieran McAnulty.

You can't get much more Labour than workers' rights.

Labour candidate Kieran McAnulty was spotted on the campaign trail with EPMU lead organiser Mark James and Labour list MP Andrew Little in Masterton yesterday.

The trio visited Wairarapa businesses Holmes Construction and Renall Joinery, then Masterton's Community Law Office, followed by meeting staff and residents at Kandahar Rest Home.

Mr Little, who holds the labour and justice portfolios for Labour, said he had known Mr McAnulty for years and came to Wairarapa to help with his campaign and lend support.

Mr McAnulty said the rest home visit revolved around Labour's approach to aged care, for both staff and residents.

"There's a real issue in that workers in the aged care sector are among the lowest paid," he said. "Labour has been very strong in ensuring they get paid enough for what they do."

Labour was committed to a minimum wage of $16.25 by April next year, said Mr Little.

Mr McAnulty said Labour also wanted to address ratios between staff and residents.

"If staff get a good wage, it ensures you don't get high turnover."

He said they had talked about Labour's policies for free GP visits and free prescriptions for over-65s.

"With a disproportionately large older population in Wairarapa, we anticipate this will be a popular policy here."