14 November 2012

Children at the heart of welfare

The needs of children must be put at the heart of our social welfare system, the Green Party said today.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has revealed that the National Government’s changes to social welfare are directly putting vulnerable children even more at risk.

“CPAG’s evidence proves what we knew would be the case; that already vulnerable children are bearing the brunt of the National Government’s punitive welfare changes,” Green Party children spokesperson Holly Walker said.

“All that the Government is doing with their benefit sanctions is punishing already vulnerable children.

“Children should be the focus of social welfare policy and I have a Member’s Bill in the ballot to put their security, wellbeing, and dignity at very heart of the Social Security Act.

“The Government claims to be helping vulnerable children when in reality its policies are just putting them at more risk.

“Punishing parents can never protect children. The National Government is acting completely irrationally with their social welfare reforms.

“Every child deserves a good life and a fair future. New Zealand should be a great place for every child to grow up. Governments can help to ensure this by guaranteeing the essentials for every child.

“Instead children are being punished for the perceived sins of their parents.

“The Green Party is committed to ending child poverty and is supported by the public on this issue. My Bill would be one step towards achieving that,” Ms Walker said.

Holly Walker’s Member’s Bill:
http://www.greens.org.nz/bills/social-security-principles-recognising-childrens-interests-paramount-amendment-bill

Article reporting CPAG’s findings:
The http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7947461/Children-bear-brunt-of-welfare-changes-Group

ENDS

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