More Money 'no Solution’ In Education (Press, 11 July 1987)

On 11 July 1987, Miss Ruth Richardson, the Opposition's spokeswoman on education, addressed a group of around 100 attendees at her campaign opening at the Lincoln Community Centre. She emphasised that simply increasing funding for the education system would not address its core issues, asserting that the National Party prioritised education more than any other issue. Richardson cited numerous reports indicating New Zealand's struggling educational performance, indicating that the country was lagging behind in international standards. She outlined the National Party's vision for education, advocating for policies that would promote choice and accountability. Richardson stressed the need for a significant overhaul of the education system to prepare New Zealand's youth for a global environment, not just a local one. Specific investments were needed, particularly in initiatives such as the reading recovery programme. During her speech, Richardson engaged with the audience, who remained relatively subdued, even humourously questioning the absence of hecklers typically present at campaign events. She was critical of the Labour Party's corporatisation policies, labelling them as deceptive and superficial. She described the situation as having "a classic corporate transvestite," indicating that the reforms were merely cosmetic changes rather than genuine improvements. Beyond education, Richardson expressed her views on other political issues, including her opposition to capital punishment while condemning the inadequate prison sentences being handed out. She also criticised the selective nature of the government's economic deregulation and highlighted the struggles faced by wheat growers in her constituency, who were disadvantaged by government policies that inadequately addressed their competitive position against subsidised international producers. Richardson concluded her address by outlining the National Party's economic objectives, which included lowering inflation and interest rates, freeing up the labour market, reducing wharf-handling costs, and reforming livestock taxation. Overall, her campaign opening focused on advocating for a transformative approach to both education and economic policies for the benefit of New Zealand.

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