Media release from Every Child Counts

Tick for Kids: 200 candidates confirm they'll work for kids

Tick for Kids: 200 candidates confirm they’ll work for kids

As voting commences in the 2013 local government and District Health Board elections, the Tick for Kids campaign has released the names of 200 candidates committed to action for children.

“Tick for Kids has encouraged candidates to confirm that they will champion the rights and interests of children if elected to local bodies or DHBs.  At a time when many children are living in poverty, with poor housing and high levels of infectious disease, it is essential that decision-makers at all levels work to improve life for children,” says Dennis McKinlay, Chair of Every Child Counts and spokesperson for the Tick for Kids campaign.

“With 200 candidates signed up to the Tick for Kids, we urge voters to support these candidates when they vote.  Among the candidates who have signed up current Mayors, councilors and DHB members alongside people who are new to local government and DHBs. 

“Local government and DHBs are obliged by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to ensure children’s best interests are a priority consideration and they are well placed to ensure that children’s interests are addressed in local communities.  Voters have the opportunity to ensure that their councils and DHBs are focused on our most vulnerable citizens – children – so that policies deliver the conditions that support child wellbeing,” concludes Mr McKinlay.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell:
On What John Banks And Nick Smith Have In Common

The defence that John Banks has been offering to the charges of electoral fraud – that he didn’t read the document he signed, and therefore lacked the necessary criminal intent – is a fairly standard example of political business as usual.

At a time when political power is being centralised downtown in the Executive, responsibility is being re-located to the suburbs. The Beehive seeks to operate as a blame free, shame free environment. At all times, plausible deniability is to be maintained.

Being able to put distance between the Minister and the actions/outcomes/political fallout of policy is not simply the last desperate resort of scoundrels, but the first resort of the foot soldiers in ministerial service... More>>