Step up to tackle child poverty
Many of us will miss the TV broadcaster, John Campbell. His campaigning on issues has played a valuable role in highlighting important social issues. In particular, the Campbell Live programmes on child poverty showed the reality of lunch for too many children in New Zealand – it is difficult for kids to learn when they are hungry. Video images brought to life the work of frontline agencies like Auckland City Mission, advocates like the Child Poverty Action Group and political work of the Green Party.
As a result of our collective efforts, child poverty became an issue at the last election. After years of downplaying the problem, the Prime Minister promised after the election that this government would reduce child poverty. But meeting that promise will need far more than was announced in the recent Budget. The increases in income for welfare beneficiaries in the recent Budget are welcome, but an additional $25 per week will do little to will do little to meet the rising costs of rent, food, clothing and other costs.
The scale of the problem needs to be recognised. The Children’s Commission identifies that 260,000 children live in income poverty, 180,000 suffer material hardship and around 110,000 live in severe poverty. This means one in four children are at risk of lower educational attainment, poorer health, higher unemployment and higher involvement in crime. It impoverishes us as a society and affects us all, no matter who we are. We need long term solutions, not just short term improvements.
The Budget also introduced some measures that will make it more difficult for children to grow up in a supportive family environment. In order to qualify for a benefit, sole parents will need to be in work when their youngest child turns three years old (it is currently five). This is a problem for many parents who need to pay far higher costs of childcare, and struggle to find work when unemployment remains high, jobs are insecure and part time or shift work is the only option. Families working long hours for low wages still struggle with too little to pay the weekly bills. And the Kiwisaver payment of $1000, which was an opportunity to kickstart saving, was axed in the Budget.
The Green Party is committed to a plan to tackle child poverty, with proper targets and a comprehensive package of measures. This is the only way to make real progress in tackling child poverty, and to start restoring people’s belief that governments can make a positive difference. It is little wonder that people get cynical about politics. Promises are made, but nothing really changes. We can do better.
Barry Coates was a candidate for Mt. Roskill in the election and is 16th on the Green Party list. Hes formerly CEO of Oxfam New Zealand.
Many of us will miss the TV broadcaster, John Campbell. His campaigning on issues has played a valuable role in highlighting important social issues. In particular, the Campbell Live programmes on child poverty showed the reality of lunch for too many children in New Zealand – it is difficult for...
Many of us will miss the TV broadcaster, John Campbell. His campaigning on issues has played a valuable role in highlighting important social issues. In particular, the Campbell Live programmes on child poverty showed the reality of lunch for too many children in New Zealand – it is difficult for kids to learn when they are hungry. Video images brought to life the work of frontline agencies like Auckland City Mission, advocates like the Child Poverty Action Group and political work of the Green Party.
As a result of our collective efforts, child poverty became an issue at the last election. After years of downplaying the problem, the Prime Minister promised after the election that this government would reduce child poverty. But meeting that promise will need far more than was announced in the recent Budget. The increases in income for welfare beneficiaries in the recent Budget are welcome, but an additional $25 per week will do little to will do little to meet the rising costs of rent, food, clothing and other costs.
The scale of the problem needs to be recognised. The Children’s Commission identifies that 260,000 children live in income poverty, 180,000 suffer material hardship and around 110,000 live in severe poverty. This means one in four children are at risk of lower educational attainment, poorer health, higher unemployment and higher involvement in crime. It impoverishes us as a society and affects us all, no matter who we are. We need long term solutions, not just short term improvements.
The Budget also introduced some measures that will make it more difficult for children to grow up in a supportive family environment. In order to qualify for a benefit, sole parents will need to be in work when their youngest child turns three years old (it is currently five). This is a problem for many parents who need to pay far higher costs of childcare, and struggle to find work when unemployment remains high, jobs are insecure and part time or shift work is the only option. Families working long hours for low wages still struggle with too little to pay the weekly bills. And the Kiwisaver payment of $1000, which was an opportunity to kickstart saving, was axed in the Budget.
The Green Party is committed to a plan to tackle child poverty, with proper targets and a comprehensive package of measures. This is the only way to make real progress in tackling child poverty, and to start restoring people’s belief that governments can make a positive difference. It is little wonder that people get cynical about politics. Promises are made, but nothing really changes. We can do better.
Barry Coates was a candidate for Mt. Roskill in the election and is 16th on the Green Party list. Hes formerly CEO of Oxfam New Zealand.
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