Prioritise children, Govt told

WELLINGTON: Antipoverty campaigners are urging Labour to move quickly and use its massive electoral support to forcefully tackle inequality.

The Child Poverty Action Group is one of several advocating for the new Government led by Child Poverty Reduction Minister Jacinda Ardern to immediately raise income support.

Campaigner Janet McAllister said benefit levels were so low they locked many children into severe poverty.

Labour’s plan, announced before the election, included welfare reforms focusing on adequate incomes for families receiving benefits, she said.

‘‘We’re saying you need to prioritise children and enact these plan immediately.

‘‘They got the mandate, the need is urgent and they have the opportunity. So they should put children first and have faith that their voters — indeed all of us in New Zealand — care about children.’’

Ms McAllister said child poverty was a problem created by politicians.

‘‘Child poverty literally doubled overnight when National cut benefits in the mother of all budgets in 1991.’’

Children needed to be at the centre of policymaking, she said.

‘‘You’re either helping children or you’re the roadblock.’’

Last month, Ms Ardern said the Government was on track and data from 2018 showed about 18,000 children lifted out of poverty. She said in 2017 her goal was to eradicate child poverty in New Zealand. — RNZ