Judith Collins MP
National Party Welfare Spokeswoman

30 July 2007

What lessons were learned from Kahui tragedy?

National Party Welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins says Labour needs to say what practical steps it has taken to reduce violence against children in light of the latest tragedies involving two young Rotorua kids.

“When Cris and Cru Kahui died – Labour was promising action. In light of the latest tragedies, it’s time for the acting Social Development Minister to give us an update.

“What we do know is that Helen Clark’s promise to identify clusters of at-risk families was never carried out and that the cross-party talkfest on child violence ended up largely being a repackaging of policies which Labour was already rolling out.

“Our record on child abuse is a national disgrace. If Labour thought smacking legislation was the answer they were mistaken.

“The time for hand-wringing and hui is over.

“The Starship Hospital intensive care specialist who has described New Zealand’s level of child abuse as a ‘national scandal’ is absolutely right."

ENDS

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