10. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What is the Government doing to ensure New Zealand better cares for and protects our most vulnerable children?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
We have released a green paper on vulnerable children. Too many of our children are being hurt, abused, and neglected, but I believe we can change this. Some of the complex issues the paper raises include whether vulnerable children should be prioritised for services over others, how the Government can encourage communities to take more responsibility for the well-being of their children, and how much monitoring of vulnerable children there should be amongst Government and non-governmental organisations. Submissions on the green paper are now open, and I certainly encourage people to get involved.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
There has been a lot of response to the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, and it has come in a number of ways and from a number of sources, including via Facebook and the green paper’s website. I have also seen reports welcoming the green paper from places like Plunket, the New Zealand Medical Association, Save the Children, Barnardos, the Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust, the New Zealand Educational Institute, the National Council of Women, Te Kāhui Mana Ririki, and the Children’s Commissioner. It seems that the paper has certainly been well received, and I look forward to receiving submissions on it.
Hon Annette KingIn light of her comment that “Too many children are being hurt, abused, neglected, and badly let down but we can change this and now is the time to act.”, what is her definition of “now”?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
It would be fair to say that in the last 2½ years I have been working continuously on changes both within Child, Youth and Family and across government about what we can do for our vulnerable children—for example, the Never, Ever Shake a Baby campaign and having Child, Youth and Family social workers in hospitals. We have put more into teen parents than any other Government has previously in terms of supported housing. We have also done more to support teen fathers, and we have introduced Home for Life, which has made a big difference in the protection of, and permanency for, those children. There was $44 million more in the last Budget for kids in care to make sure that we get the right sorts of services from those who care for them. So a lot has been done, but there is a lot more to do, as I am sure the member would agree.