10th August 2004

Falling Unemployment – Rising Social Problems

Christian Heritage NZ leader Ewen McQueen said the unemployment figures released today prove that New Zealand’s social problems are not being driven by a lack of jobs. The figures show New Zealand’s unemployment at its lowest rate for 17 years. In spite of this there were many serious social problems that continued to get worse, especially among our young people and children. These included increased drug and alcohol abuse, our highest abortion rate ever, and soaring child abuse notifications. He commented:

“ For many years we have been told that the root of our social problems is unemployment – that if we just get the economy right then everything else will be OK. Well our economy is booming, there are more jobs than ever, and yet we have an increasing social crisis on our hands – particularly when it comes to caring for our children.”

The CHNZ leader, who holds a post-graduate degree in economics, went on to say that this proved the real basis of our problems was not economic, but rather the values we have chosen to live by as a society. He stated,
“ We have walked away from the virtues that build strong family life and our children are suffering as a result. It makes little difference how many extra jobs are created – until we have leadership willing to affirm decent family values, the problems will get worse .”

Mr McQueen said Christian Heritage NZ would make affirming marriage and rebuilding family life a top priority.

Ewen McQueen
Leader, Christian Heritage NZ

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