National’s commitment to children and families

A re-elected National Government will continue to support and assist Kiwi families with targeted health, education, justice and social development initiatives in our comprehensive Children and Families plan.

“National has the ideas, commitment and determination to implement sustainable policies that will make a real difference to Kiwi families,” says Social Development Spokesperson Paula Bennett.

National’s Children and Families policy released today outlines the work plan we have ahead of us, building on six years of proven commitment to children and families.

It states a re-elected National government will:

• Provide free GP visits and prescriptions for all children under 13.
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• Increase paid parental leave from 14 to 18 weeks.
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• Boost parental tax credits to a maximum $220 a week.
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• Implement our Vulnerable Children Act to protect children.
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• Improve the quality of teaching and leadership so our kids get a better quality education.
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• Protect families with a suite of family violence initiatives including safety alarms for victims, GPS monitoring of abusers and a Chief Victim’s Advisor.
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“This is a long-term, integrated cross-agency plan for children and their families to ensure they get the education, housing and healthcare they need and the opportunities to succeed,” says Mrs Bennett.

“It’s also important to support new parents and their babies, which is why we will extend paid parental leave and increase financial support through parental tax credits.”

Mrs Bennett says the Children and Families plan works alongside National's unwavering commitment to keep building a strong economy that provides more work opportunities for all New Zealanders.

"It's only National that has a relentless focus on building a stronger economy, to provide more opportunities for jobs and wage increases, especially for more vulnerable New Zealanders. We have to keep encouraging investment and jobs for all New Zealanders as that's the best way to strengthen families."

It’s also only through a strong economy, and National’s sound management of the Government’s books, that we will be able to deliver on this plan and these important commitments to children and families.

National’s Children’s and Families’ policy is available athttp://ntnl.org.nz/1qMjAyj

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