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09 July 2013: News from CPAG

Visiting London Professor speaks to NZ's growing inequality.

Child Poverty Action Group convenor Assoc. Professor Mike O'Brien says a lecture series by visiting Professor Robert Wade will benefit those seriously committed to addressing poverty and inequality in New Zealand.

Professor Wade from the London School of Economics began his lecture series on 'Inequality and the West: Capitalism at a Tipping Point' in New Zealand last night in Auckland. It was followed by the official Auckland book launch of 'Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis' of which both Assoc. Prof O'Brien and Professor Wade are contributors.

O'Brien says New Zealand must accept that the issues of poverty and inequality have created a crisis. Large numbers of families and children are experiencing the harsh realities of the consequences of inequality and poverty.

He highlighted CPAG's recent court appeal case. It challenges the In Work Tax Credit of the Working for Families package discriminates against children living in homes where the main source of income is a benefit. The poorest families in New Zealand are not entitled to the IWTC and miss out on at least $60 a week. The sum represents the difference between affording visits to the doctor and a pantry kept full of food. A court decision is pending and expected shortly.

O'Brien also refers to Auckland City Council's controversial proposal to ban begging downtown. "Such behaviour reflects a wider issue at play and merely removing the symptoms of poverty and transient populations, in particular where children are involved, does not bode well for the future of this country."

Professor Wade's series continues throughout the country over the next two weeks.

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