What Clark and English would do in the next three years

The Labour and National leaders list the 10 things they plan to do in the next three years to improve New Zealanders' lives.

As Prime Minister, HELEN CLARK would:

* Work with all sectors to create an innovative, growing economy with more jobs and more people in training, especially by doubling modern apprenticeships to 6000 by the end of next year.

* Tackle the backlog of transport projects by investing more than $200 million extra in roads and public transport.

* Agree on maximum tertiary education fees and widen eligibility for student allowances.

* Introduce scholarship and bonding arrangements to entice graduates in hard-to-staff professions to stay in New Zealand.

* Put 3000 teachers more than those needed for roll growth into schools over the next five years.

* Invest $400 million more in primary healthcare to make doctors visits cheaper and tackle health problems early.

* Ensure that no one waits more than six months for a first assessment or for surgery after they are assessed as needing it.

* Ensure tougher sentences for the most serious offenders and invest in proven programmes to reduce youth offending.

* Guarantee current superannuation for everyone by investing in the ring-fenced New Zealand Superannuation Fund.

* Increase the maximum number of subsidised childcare hours to support parents moving off benefits and into employment.


As Prime Minister, BILL ENGLISH would:

* Bring in tougher sentences and put 500 more police on the beat.

* Let principals, parents and teachers run schools and pay good teachers more.

* Lower taxes to drive investment and growth.

* Close the book on Treaty of Waitangi claims.

* Reduce compliance costs for small businesses so they can grow and employ more people.

* Write down student loans for graduates who stay and work in New Zealand.

* Implement a rescue plan to pay off hospital debts to avoid health cuts.

* Stop the Cullen fund sending $2 billion a year into overseas sharemarkets (while retaining our commitment to NZ Superannuation).

* Have one standard of citizenship for all.

* Fight for better prospects for our children and young people so that no one is left behind.

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