Government's targets may allow more children to live in poverty.
The Green Party has expressed strong opposition to the Government's new child poverty targets, which they claim could lead to an increase in the number of children living in poverty. According to Ricardo Menéndez March, spokesperson for Child Poverty Reduction, the targets set by the Government would allow 10 per cent of children to live below the poverty line by 2028. Currently, the rate is at 9.4 per cent, which means hundreds more children could be affected.
The Green Party argues that these targets are inconsistent with the Child Poverty Reduction Act, which requires a reduction in child poverty. They claim that the current Government's policies are pushing thousands of people into poverty and that the watering down of targets is an attempt to mask this impact. The party also accuses Minister Louise Upston of being "cruel and callous" for implementing these targets.
Ricardo Menéndez March states, "Poverty is a political choice. We can choose to end it." He adds that the Green Party would ensure liveable incomes for families and invest in community support networks to address poverty. The party is calling on Minister Upston to explain how the new targets align with the Child Poverty Reduction Act.