David Clark – Dunedin North

Every kiwi-kid deserves the best possible start in life.  Like many others, on Tuesday night I watched the hard-hitting child poverty documentary on TV3.

The last Labour Government lifted 130,000 kiwi-kids out of poverty through Working For Families.  But there is still much more to do.  I’ve previously written about child poverty and its effects.

The early years are most important to a child’s development.  It is worth investing more at the start.

We’re going to make some positive changes. Making sure parents earn a living wage means the bills can get paid, the family fed and the house properly heated.  Free 24/7 access to health-care for under 6s is vital. And access to 20 hours free – quality early childhood education means that all children can get the best possible start.

Labour’s plan for child well-being is found on the ownourfuture website.  Detailed policy is linked at the bottom of that page.

I’m very proud of the changes Labour will make if elected to government.