Housing

Auckland City Council's plan to create a new bylaw to force homeless people out of the city is pointless and cruel, the Green Party says.

"Even the police are questioning the necessity for a new law aimed at moving rough sleepers out of the central city," Auckland-based Green MP and Housing Spokesperson Sue Bradford says.

The building industry downturn means National should invest in more state houses – not put a cap on them – says the Green Party.

"Putting a cap on state houses as indicated yesterday by Housing Minister Phil Heatley is irresponsible at a time of economic downtown," Green Party Housing Spokesperson Sue Bradford says.

The Green Party is renewing calls for a green public investment plan, in light of the highest inflation figures in 18 years - driven by high oil prices.

A green investment plan would invest in projects to make New Zealand less dependent on oil, reduce our greenhouse emissions, use our resources more efficiently and keep people in work and business in business.

The Green Party is concerned that the stress of the election campaign may be causing the Prime Minister's memory to fail her.

The Government should be helping the struggling timber industry through the downturn, but purchasing their plants is not the way to do it, the Green Party says.

"I can understand the calls for the Government take over where industry seems to have failed," Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says.

The Green Party says it is time to join the dots between tough economic times, job losses in the construction and timber industries and chronic housing shortages.