Hon Bill English National Party Education Spokesman
12 July 2005
Tizard dazed and confused
Total confusion reigns within the Labour Party over its childcare policy, says National Party Education spokesman Bill
English.
"Judith Tizard visited a centre in Auckland last week and issued a press release saying this was just the sort of centre
where children would benefit from Labour's 20-hours-free childcare policy," says Mr English.
"Unfortunately, the centre is privately owned. It is just the sort of centre Labour wants out of business. The children
in it won't qualify for Labour's toddler lottery, where only one in 10 parents can win.
"If Trevor Mallard can't explain this stupid policy to his own Cabinet how will Labour ever explain it to the 90% of
families with children under five who won't be qualifying for it?
"Mr Mallard should also tell his colleagues that only 22,000 children will benefit from Labour's tinkering - that's less
than 10% of under-fives.
"Judith Tizard claimed 5,400 children in her electorate would benefit. In fact, many of those children are already
entitled to free care at a kindergarten, playcentre or kohanga reo. The remaining children will have to engage in a
lottery to secure a place in a Labour-approved centre.
"National's childcare tax deduction is direct assistance to families to support whatever choices they make to suit their
circumstances. It will benefit more families and more children," says Mr English.
ENDS