I’ve been critical of the Maori Party over the years. I think they’ve sold out their principles and their supporters to be seat-warmers in government. But if this is the issue where they choose to make their stand, then they will have proved me wrong. And, much more importantly, they will have helped out kids:
Warning on child poverty
The Government has ruled out another of the main recommendations in a major child poverty report – but the Maori Party has sent a warning it will make the Government’s life uncomfortable if it ignores the report.
In a rare step, the Maori Party yesterday held a press conference with all three of its MPs and called on National to look at all 78 recommendations in a new report by an expert panel working with the Children’s Commissioner. …
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said the child poverty report was part of the Maori Party’s support agreement with National and she did not expect National to simply brush the report aside.
OK, what next? Was this a token protest for form’s sake, or will the Maori Party actually make a stand for kids? If they do decide to act, how far will they go? We’ll be watching this space.
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