The increasingly desperate behaviour of Labour's education spokesman was criticised by parents attending community meetings on National Standards in Auckland last night, says Education Minister Anne Tolley.

An increased focus on frontline services at the Ministry of Education will enhance support for teachers, says Education Minister Anne Tolley.

The National-Act Government's announcement that it is to slash tens of millions of dollars from the education budget spells bad news for education quality, Labour Party education spokesman Trevor Mallard said today.

The Minister of Labour needs to rely on evidence, not anecdotes in reviewing the personal grievance system, Opposition spokesperson on labour issues Trevor Mallard said today.

Thank you for inviting me to speak here on the North Shore.

I'd like to start by acknowledging the huge contribution older people make to society in every walk of life: as grandparents, friends, colleagues and as mentors to the younger generations.

Parents should think carefully before deciding to run for Boards of Trustees, Labour's Education spokesperson Trevor Mallard said today.

Labour's Education spokesman Trevor Mallard today called on Education Minister Anne Tolley to make public the terms of reference for the new advisory group she has set up to monitor progress on her controversial National Standards scheme.

Prime Minister John Key's reassurance to Pita Sharples that school league tables will not be an issue till "further down the track" is misleading nonsense, Labour Party education spokesman Trevor Mallard said today.

The Q+A interview with Labour Leader Phil Goff is transcribed below.

The full length video interviews and panel discussions from the first episode of Q+A 2010 can be seen on tvnz.co.nz at, http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news

The Government's miniscule lift to the minimum wage will immediately be swallowed up by rising living costs, Labour spokesperson on labour issues Trevor Mallard says.

The Government today announced the lowest possible rise to the minimum wage - up 25 cents to $12.75.