07th July 2005

National Party Ignores the “Invisible Woman”

Christian Heritage NZ leader, Ewen McQueen said today that the newly announced National party policy on tax rebates for childcare, continued to ignore at-home mums. He stated:

“It is now clear that under National as with Labour, the at-home mum will remain the ‘invisible woman’ of public policy. Neither of these two will do anything to recognise, affirm or support the invaluable contribution made by at-home mums. This in spite of the fact that research suggests the best care for young children is provided by their own parents – not child care centres.”

The CHNZ leader pointed out that there was already more than half a billion dollars in subsidies being directed into the childcare industry every year. He also noted that of the 280,000 New Zealand children under five, only 180,000 were enrolled in some form of childcare. He said,

“That leaves 100,000 children whose families have chosen to sacrifice an income in order to care for their own children at home. Their financial sacrifice goes completely unrecognised by current policymakers. Instead more and more funds get channelled into encouraging parents of very young children to re-enter paid employment. It is time we had a real change of direction not just tinkering with the existing policy framework. The National party is clearly not going to deliver that.”

McQueen said that as part of its 10-point plan to Build Families, Christian Heritage NZ would seek to introduce a Home-carers Allowance of $100 per week paid to married couples with an at-home parent caring for children under five. McQueen stated,

“CHNZ will give at-home mums the recognition and support they deserve, instead of ignoring them as the ‘invisible women’ of public policy.”

ENDS

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