Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Closing children’s camps shocks communities

Alfred Ngaro - Children

17 May 2018

A scathing report from one of Labour’s union backers following the Government’s decision to pull funding from child support services shows just how egregious the decision is, National’s spokesperson for Children, Alfred Ngaro says.

“Shockwaves are continuing to ripple through communities and interest groups following this week’s announcement from the Government that it will no longer fund the Stand children’s camps in Roxburgh and Otaki, effectively forcing their closure,” Mr Ngaro says.

“Stand needed just $3 million dollars to keep these villages afloat and minister Tracey Martin should have this available in her discretionary fund.

“As the Public Services Association (PSA) points out, this lack of commitment ‘sends a signal that provision of funding for vital services to ensure the well-being of New Zealand’s most vulnerable children, families and whānau needs to be monitored and protected more closely.’

“The community, the Mayors, the unions, and the children rallied to save Stand, but the Government hasn’t listened, and has instead prioritised diplomats over children.

“That extraordinary prioritisation has left 63 people without jobs and 380 traumatised children without a specialised treatment facility.

“The kids at these camps are the most vulnerable in society - they have had sexual, emotional, and physical violence committed against them and the Stand Children’s villages were designed to provide them with the love and support they need to get them back to place of peace.

“I agree with PSA organiser Margaret Takoko that ‘to say the least this is a disappointing result at several levels’, she also reminded us that ‘the loss of these life changing residential programmes … cannot have anything but a negative impact’.

“It is my hope that today, Budget Day, the Government does something to rectify this appalling mistake,” Mr Ngaro says.

ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.