4 May, 2005

Media statement
For immediate use

Where are the children?
Every Child Counts assesses political announcements

“It has been a week of lean political pickings for children,” said Emma Davies of Every Child Counts when assessing the various announcements from the political parties.

“The weekend announcement of funding of $12 million for child advocates for child victims of domestic violence was a promising start, but that was quickly dwarfed but other announcements, most notably the $4.6 billion of increased Defence spending.

“There were other announcements which also overshadowed the child advocate funding,” she continued. “Don Brash’s promise of $750 million for Waikato roading projects looks like just a pitch for the region’s marginal seats.”

“Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister and Minister of Health of $17 million for increased cataract operations seems a sensible public health initiative which is not only good for the individual recipients but has a positive impact upon the cost of care of the elderly,” she continued.

“Overall, however, the week’s political announcements have demonstrated how little children currently count politically,” Emma Davies concluded.

Every Child Counts plans to provide regular assessment and commentary on the week’s political announcements from a child-focused perspective. Every Child Counts represents Barnardos, Plunket, Save the Children, Unicef NZ and AUT’s Institute of Public Policy, supported by more than 150 other organisations and thousands of individual supporters.

The public are invited to demonstrate their support for the nation’s children by adding their names to the Every Child Counts campaign at: www.everychildcounts.org.nz

ENDS

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