[ad_1]
Child poverty and material hardship
Ardern said he stands firm on his record of child poverty, saying that seven out of nine child poverty measures improved under his leadership.
“No one would believe for a moment that we could solve a problem that takes decades to build in three years,” he said.
“I’m not done yet. I’m asking people to support us and continue the progress we’ve made.”
Earlier this week, Ardern pledged to cut child poverty in half by 2030. The Child Poverty Action Group challenged her to tap into the $ 14 billion COVID-19 recovery fund to fix the problem now, But Ardern said he wants to keep this money aside for a potential revival.
“We have made a significant investment over the past three years to make sure we provide things like food in schools, increase the benefit rate for those with the lowest incomes, increase the minimum wage, all things that make a difference. “
Collins said child poverty “has gotten worse” with Ardern.
“If you look at the children who are living in material difficulties, which means they can’t get to a doctor in time, things like that are 4100 more than when Ms. Ardern took office.”
Collins added that he would also like to cut child poverty in half by 2030, and one way he would do that is by making adults work.
Pacific Fruit Pickers
Leaders were asked if they would be prepared to make an exception for fruit pickers to travel from the Pacific to help New Zealand growers.
Ardern said she would be prepared to investigate this issue, but would also look in regions that have worker shortages and put New Zealand job seekers in those roles.
“We have to give priority to getting job seekers to work, but at the same time, no one wants the fruit to rot on the ground.”
Since enough New Zealanders are not actively applying for these positions, he said barriers to work need to be assessed to help train and support people in fruit picking jobs.
Collins said National would make this an urgent priority.
“We can’t wait. So with the horticultural industry, for example, they can’t wait because their fruit has to be picked when needed,” he said.
“It is very important to remember that these are great industries for us … it is not just one year that they lose, it is more.”
