Wed, 26 May 2004
Budget-Bashers Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Budget-bashers are barking up the wrong tree, according to Paula Skilling, Executive Officer of the New Zealand Council
of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS). "The key question shouldn't be about whether beneficiaries or working families
get a larger slice of the Budget pie. The real problem is that the income of many New Zealanders is too low to safely
raise a family on."
Ms Skilling believed the criticism voiced by some people is short-sighted. "All political parties, as well as business
groups, should applaud the Government's intention to better support families with children" she said.
"If New Zealand's future is to be a prosperous one, we desperately need healthy, well-educated children who can access
the support and opportunities they need to get ahead. This costs money - and the financial investment is just as
necessary for children whose parents aren't in paid employment as for those who are" said Ms Skilling. "That's why our
expectation is that Thursday's budget will appropriately offer a hand-up for all New Zealand's struggling families".
ENDS