12. GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Does he support the Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People, produced by the Ministry of Health?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
The Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People is in draft and has been out for public consultation, which closed on 13 December. The ministry is considering the 44 submissions to the consultation document, and the Minister expects to receive advice from the ministry later this year. The new guidelines will be published once they have been finalised.
What is his response to Lisa Williams from Timaru, who has to spend $180 a week for her family to meet the guideline of eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, which she says is out of reach for her family?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
The Minister’s response would be that if the member wants to look at the history of food prices, in Labour’s last year in Government inflation hit 5.1 percent yet food prices went up by 11 percent. Over the tenure of the Labour Government food inflation overall was 36 percent. That person has to look back at the history to really understand the problem.
Does he agree with the findings of the study by the Wellington Regional Public Health Service that shows that a family supported by a minimum-wage earner would need to spend more than 50 percent of their income after rent to give their family a healthy diet—a figure that puts them into the globally recognised category of being in food stress?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
I would have to read the study because, frankly, I do not have any faith that the member has reported those findings in context. I would be happy to be sent a copy of it.
Does he accept that the cost of healthy food is putting it out of the reach of many New Zealanders as the cost of living soars; if so, what specific actions will his Government undertake to ease pressure on New Zealand families?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
Look, this is a long-term issue. We know that many New Zealand families are having difficulties, but a lot of this problem started under that member’s Government, and we have been left with the task of clearing up the mess.
What is the point of issuing guidelines for healthy eating for young people if his Government is not prepared to step up and take specific actions to reduce the cost of living?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
That member needs to pay attention to the detail. The guidelines have not been issued; they have been put out for consultation. We will be responding when we have considered the advice and submissions.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Does he agree with the statement on page 114 of the guidelines that “Access to safe and healthy food will influence nutrient intakes.” of Māori tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau, and does he agree that supporting the Māori Party’s policy to remove GST from healthy foods would make healthy foods more accessible for young Māori; if not, why?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
The Minister has made the Government’s position on the guidelines very clear, and, of course, the member will know the Government’s position on GST.
I seek leave of the House to table the report from the Wellington Regional Public Health Service entitled Food Costs for Families, which shows that a family with a minimum-wage earner will need to spend 50 percent of their income to get a healthy diet, after paying rent.
Mr SPEAKER