Discrimination against poorest children needs to end

The Green Party has welcomed Child Poverty Action Group’s decision to appeal discrimination against New Zealand’s vulnerable children in the Court of Appeal.

"Children need the essentials whether their parents are in paid work or not," Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said.

The Court of Appeal yesterday granted leave to appeal against the decision of the High Court in relation to its claim of discrimination against the 230,000 children of beneficiaries. The claim relates to the In Work Tax Credit which is part of Working for Families, a package that has a key aim to alleviate child poverty.

"I wholeheartedly support CPAG taking this appeal to highlight this important issue.

"At present, children in 140,000 of our poorest families are denied support which could help guarantee these essentials, because of the Government’s discriminatory policy.

"Children need a warm, dry, safe home, food to grow healthy and strong, warm clothing, raincoats, and shoes but too many of our children are missing out and growing up in poverty. This needs to change, Working for Families should never have been designed to neglect New Zealand’s poorest children.

The Green Party has developed a plan to bring 100,000 kids out of poverty this would include making Working for Families work for everyone, added Mrs Turei.
Additional information
Green Party Plan To End Child Poverty http://www.greens.org.nz/endchildpoverty

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