Labour

John’s Key’s sudden about-face on the need for an official poverty measure is being driven purely by cynical politics as he cobbles together a deal with the same parties who have ignored the issue for the past three years, says Labour’s Social Development Spokesperson Annette King.

No New Zealand child should continue to live in poverty, Labour Deputy Leader Annette King says.

“Last night’s Inside Child Poverty programme was a must watch for every New Zealander. We cannot as a country turn a blind eye the urgent need of children,” Annette King said.

A no-holds barred documentary screening on TV3 tomorrow that reveals the sickening truth about child poverty in New Zealand should be a wake-up call for John Key and every member of his National-led government, Labour’s Deputy Leader and Social Policy spokesperson Annette King says.

Getting people back to work is at the heart of Labour’s Social Development policy, Labour Deputy Leader Annette King says.                      

Women’s refuge centres need adequate and reliable funding if they are to properly provide shelter for vulnerable women and children, Labour’s Deputy Leader and Social Development spokesperson Annette King says.

The quadrupling of demand for food parcels and advice at a South Auckland budget advisory service is in line with figures from around New Zealand, Labour Deputy Leader Annette King says.

With no let-up in the number of Kiwis on benefits, it’s time Paula Bennett and John Key acknowledged that they have failed to do deliver New Zealanders their promise of a brighter future, Labour’s Employment spokesperson Jacinda Ardern says.

The fact that there are now 157,000 Kiwis out of work shows National is doing nothing to create jobs, Labour Deputy Leader Annette King says.

“Paula Bennett and John Key this week made a big song and dance about welfare reform, but in reality have done nothing about getting Kiwis working,” Annette King said.

With almost 34,000 more children now dependant on beneficiary parents than in 2008, John Key’s promise of a ‘brighter future’ for New Zealanders rings sickeningly hollow, Labour’s Deputy Leader and Social Policy spokesperson Annette King says.

John Key’s admission that he has broken his 2008 pre-election promise to help those he labelled the “underclass” is a warning that his word cannot be trusted, says Labour’s Social Policy Spokesperson Annette King.