4. Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does he stand by his statement that “I am prepared to commit Government resources to try to lift children out of poverty”; if so, what priority has he put on the eradication of child poverty in New Zealand?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) Link to this
Yes. In this year’s zero Budget the Government prioritised funding increases to health and education, in part because we recognise the fundamental role these public services play in lifting children out of poverty.
If he has done much to reduce child poverty in New Zealand, what is his response to the recently appointed Children’s Commissioner—Dr Russell Wills, a passionate advocate for children—who said at the weekend: “I don’t think it’s OK that we live in a country where children arrive at school because of their poverty … without having their basic needs met.”
Did he see the report at the weekend that said that among the 34 countries in the OECD, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of child poverty and one of the lowest levels of investment in the first 5 years of life; if so, why has his Government increased child poverty, not decreased it?
No, I did not see the report. But I am pleased that despite its being a zero Budget, the Government put in $44 million extra to support children in State care. That was just one of the many steps the Government took in Budget 2011.
If he thinks his Government has done much to reduce child poverty, why did he and the Minister of Finance reject the policy proposal supporting the protection and well-being of our most vulnerable children, as revealed by the release of the Budget documents by Treasury last week?
I would have to look at the specific piece the member is talking about. What the Government did in the Budget was come up with a number of additional spending items and a number of additional programmes to help our most vulnerable young New Zealanders. That included the $44 million package I spoke of, it included increasing the levels of child immunisation, it included participation of the most needy kids in early childhood education, it included more money going into Whānau Ora, and it included an increase in performance in the education system. Of course, the Government has highlighted the fact that it wants to reform the welfare system.
Does he think that Dr Wills may know a little bit more about child poverty and what is happening in New Zealand than the Prime Minister, in light of his comments that the bulk of kids that he sees as out-patients are from the most poor and vulnerable families; if not, why not?
Clare CurranI seek leave to table a poster made by the children and teachers of St Clair Community Kindergarten protesting the changes to early childhood education—
Mr SPEAKER