Child poverty bill
Ardern followed suit the next day, and committed her party to the same target but that has not been included in her legislation currently before the House.
Ardern has revealed her Government’s targets; a set of three and 10-year targets to reduce the proportion of children living in material hardship, income poverty and persistent poverty.
Of National’s proposed amendments, it’s unlikely the 100,000 target will be one the Government will accept. But there may be movement around more specific measures and a variation of the social investment approach which targets vulnerable families to work on their needs. National Party leader Simon Bridges has repeatedly criticised Labour’s $2.8 billion tertiary education policy but won’t commit to ending it if elected in 2020.
Yesterday Bridges said the policy was badly targeted and ‘‘doesn’t strike me as good policy’’.
He said it was likely the chunk of money – $2.8b over four years – would not be ‘‘left alone’’ by National but would not confirm whether it would be meanstested or removed if they were elected.
The package boosted student allowances by $50 a week and introduced the ‘‘fees-free’’ policy which will eventually make the first three years of tertiary study free for all students. At this point only the first year is free. He promised an answer on the issue before the 2020 election, and said he ‘‘hadn’t thought’’ particularly about whether to means test it. ‘‘I would argue what’s wrong with the position prior to this change of policy? Actually for your average student they get something like 75 per cent subsidised but they pay seven or eight grand a year investing in their own life and their educational outcomes.’’
Currently the student allowance, which doesn’t have to be paid back, is means tested but the student loan and fees-free policies are not.
Since the means testing looks at income instead of wealth there have been many complaints over the years that wealthy families have been able to hide their wealth in order to access the scheme.
Bridges noted that the Government was delaying its policy to lower GP fees across the board, which would cost less than fees-free.
He was also reticent when asked whether he would remove the new Government’s annual $450 Winter Energy Payment, which will go to all superannuitants and other beneficiaries.
‘‘It’s all a question of priorities. Think of it this way: my parents in Tauranga, getting that several hundred dollars a year for their energy payments – do they need it? No they don’t. Do they think they need it? No they don’t. Will they take it? Yes they will,’’ Bridges said.
He said there was a possibility National could get rid of the policy.