Debate on child poverty in NZ

Wednesday, November 17th, 2004, Activism, Aotearoa New Zealand

Discussion around the morning tea table on Monday centred on the Child Poverty Action Group’s (CPAG) report on the Working for Families package. “Cut Price Kids” outlined the views of the group on the package announced in this years budget. As a member of the team implementing the changes required, I wanted to learn about the issue more than was covered by the shock tactics press coverage: “Key politicians slate child poverty action group report”.

I was rewarded when I looked on the CPAG website. The full report is available online, as is a keynote speech from the report launch by Dr Ian Hassall’s, and comments from both CPAG’s Wellington Branch and the Quality Public Education Coalition. There are also details of where people can get a full copy of the 80 page report for $12.

As yet I haven’t looked at the report in detail, but I was impressed by the amount of information produced by the group and about the group itself. It’s constitution is available for one and all to see. The website is really good example of how the Internet can be used by organisations participating in social change.

The Ministry of Social Development has done it’s bit to ensure high levels of transparency about its policy work prior to the budget announcement. Key cabinet papers and reports are available online.

With all this information available it would be good if we could have an informed debate the issues rasied by CPAG.

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