John
Key and his Government will be held to its promise to make
child poverty a priority, Labour’s Acting Deputy Leader
Annette King says.
“In its priority-setting speech today
the Government stated child poverty would be a major focus
for it this term.
“It’s not the first time that’s
been said, yet in six years we have seen little in the way
of any concrete proposals to address the issue.
“Instead
of policies to lift wages and better the lives of children
in poverty, the Government plans to sell state housing and
take money off the working poor with older
children.
“Political spin doesn’t fill hungry bellies,
help our kids grow and learn or ensure they are warm and
healthy.
“Finding real solutions to child poverty
means taking responsibility. It means committing to a firm
target and a firm measure; it means making reducing child
poverty a public service target.
“That’s what a
Government that cares about our kids will do. I challenge
the Prime Minister to walk his talk,” Annette King
said.
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