CathNews New Zealand

Long term planning is needed, but the real need is to immediately move children out of poverty. The time for talk is over says Child Poverty Action Group. It says the Government must act to protect children now, not some time in the future. The Minister of Social Development, Paula Bennett, has announced a Green paper to ”kick off a national conversation on how we value, nurture and protect children.” CPAG asks if this is a delaying tactic to avoid the hard realities?

“The focus needs to be on causes of poor family outcomes, not the symptoms such as child abuse. Poor child outcomes reflect the huge financial pressures families are facing, under-resourcing of low decile schools, poor nutrition and hunger, and overcrowded housing,” says Mike O’Brien.

Long term planning is needed, but the real need is to immediately move children out of poverty.

Source
Scoop

Photo Credit
Youthtown.org.nz

Additional reading

• Paula Bennett A Green Paper to begin a national conversation
• Caritas Welcomes Alternative Welfare Report
• NZ Council of Christian Social Services. Facts about Poverty

News category: New Zealand.