National Party translation: Liberal spending

Labour translation: Investing in the future. Significant past success suggests that this translation is probably the most accurate.

If you are serious about pulling New Zealand out of the financial sh*t then we need to think seriously about a introducing a CGT, FTT and addressing the 8 – 10billion annual social cost arising from child poverty and poor educational outcomes.

The number of children living in poverty is continuing to rise, with recent estimates putting numbers
at around 270,000. This means that child poverty rates in New Zealand are higher than the average of other developed countries. Children born into poverty are more likely to be born prematurely, and to die before the age of one. Between 45,000 – 50,000 children leave for school with an empty stomach each day.

Delegates at a public health conference held in Wellington recently were told that child poverty is costing New Zealand up to $10 billion annually. Independent research by John Pearce suggests that three – quarters of this cost is avoidable. Task-force group and independent organization recommendations to the Government seem to be falling on deaf ears with the Prime Minister even dismissing advice from an expert advisory panel put together by the Children’s Commissioner. This is of great concern.

Labour is also concerned that the Government’s Green Paper on child welfare is more of a step to the side than an actual step forward. Its emphasis on vulnerable children only can be likened to putting a band-aid over a gaping wound. The paper fails to address inequality or financial hardship, and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett seems content in knowing that children move in and out of poverty every day. It’s increasingly apparent with every damning report released (and the number is significant), that the minister is in denial over the magnitude of this issue. Our advice to her is to come down from planet National and re-familiarise herself with modern New Zealand.

Labour proposes the establishment of a fully costed Ministry of Children’s Affairs. In terms of objective, the ministry would lead policy analysis and research while also taking on work from the Families Commission, which itself would be disestablished – enabling its $7.7 million budget to be redirected into the new ministry. With New Zealand’s child abuse and poverty statistics failing to improve, and social costs arising from such abuse and neglect costing up to $10 billion annually, we can’t afford not to establish this ministry.

Heather Roy has pointed out that “New Zealand already as a small army of Ministers and departments to deal with child welfare.” While this is true, Heather Roy also notes, “too many of our vulnerable children are still subject to terrible abuse and poverty.” This is not a reason to throw in the towel. We have to work harder to improve the quality of life of our youngest citizens. A new ministry might not be the silver bullet we need, but it will certainty get things moving in the right direction.What kind of legacy does this government want to leave behind? This is the right thing to do. Things must change.

It would be nice for there to be a bit more proof though that the staff are away all the time and it isn’t just grandstanding.

As for Bill, in the last three elections at least he has had pretty much double the vote of all other candidates combined. The constituents must like something about his representation (maybe it is that he is rarely there that they like? who knows).

Sad.