2. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
How many young people will benefit from the Government’s youth programmes announced yesterday?
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) Link to this
Yesterday the Government announced the Fresh Start packages. These programmes will work with young offenders and give opportunities to those in disadvantaged, high-need communities. There will be a total of 2,957 Fresh Start package places, and 30,600 for Break Away school holiday programmes. This is in addition to the Government’s Youth Opportunities package, which will give 16,900 young New Zealanders education, training, and employment options.
The responses have been very positive from those people who are involved in working with young people. The Chief Judge of the Youth Court, Judge Becroft, said it was a clear signal that the Government means business in working with at-risk young people across the board. There were a number of other comments that have been very positive as well, and I would have thought that the whole of Parliament could get behind programmes that will provide opportunities for young people who need them.
Sue BradfordWhat evidence does the Minister have that sending young offenders to military-style boot camps does any good at all from any point of view, especially given that virtually every single submitter to the Social Services Committee on this topic advised strongly against going down this route?
It is striking that some of our social policy establishment have apparently analysed boot camps for their effectiveness very closely, but have never analysed whether any other programme works. The evidence is pretty clear that it is the follow-up from those military-style programmes that makes the difference, and the Government’s announcement follows the evidence.
Jacinda ArdernWill the Minister amend any part of her boot camp proposals based on feedback from the public via the select committee, given that yesterday she announced the pilot and committed funding before the committee had had the chance to report back?
The Government will analyse the feedback from the young people who go on these courses, because it is what happens to them that matters, not some theoretical debate from people who are not involved with the programmes.
The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme will reward 100 young people who have made positive life changes. We will be asking communities to nominate young people who have made the effort to turn their lives around. If they stay out of trouble, they will be eligible for this inspirational programme at the end of next January. These young people will get to spend time with and work with well-known New Zealanders, such as All Blacks, members of the Warriors, netball players, and hip-hop artists.