What’s hot and what’s not
1000 days to get it right for every child
Another election and once again Every Child Counts is monitoring the policies of the parties and the utterances of their candidates. We provide a daily record of the good and the not so good as an aid to voters – and, maybe, to also help the politicians to remember the quarter of our citizens who, by law, are not allowed to vote.
We aim to keep it good-natured and good-humoured.
Now that’s hot!
3 August 2011
Metiria Turei announces the Green’s plan to bring 100,000 children out of poverty by 2014.
13 October 2011
Paula Bennett, Minister of Social Development, announces a funding re-allocation for 149 additional social workers in low decile schools and 96 new frontline Child, Youth and Family care and protection social workers. Great initiative, but it would have been reassuring to know what services, if any, were cut to provide the funds.
25 October 2011
Tariana Turia announces the establishment of four new funds for the provision of social and affordable housing. Again, great initiative, but is it new money or re-allocated money?
7 November 2011
Labour’s Louisa Wall MP is authorised to take ECC’s political pledge for children on behalf of the entire Labour caucus.
7 November 2011
The Green’s Sue Kedgley MP is authorised also to take the ECC pledge for the entire slate of all Green candidates.
7 November 2011
Rahui Katene MP, Māori Party, is the first candidate from other party’s to take the ECC pledge.
7 November 2011
Annette King announces Labour’s children’s policy, It’s about our kids, which is focused on greater public investment in the early years of childhood.
10 November 2011
Labour’s education policy promises
- 31,000 laptops or netbooks to be given to children in low-decile schools.
- All Year 7-13 students in decile 1-3 schools given $600 to go towards a mobile learning device such as a laptop.
- It will be up to schools to decide what kind of mobile device is purchased and whether it’s kept at school or the students can take it home each night.
15 November 2011
Tony Ryall, Minister of Health, announces that work is underway to give effect to the earlier policy announcement of free after-hours GP visits for under-six year olds. Roll out is expected to commence in July 2012. Nice to see an election promise being immediately actioned.
But that’s not!
31 July 2011
Winston Peters announces that NZ First will repeal the ‘Anti Smacking’ law. C’mon, Winston, pandering to the red neck vote is not good policy making! And you know it is never going to happen.
7 November 2011
John Key pours cold water on the ECC pledge saying that ‘signing a pledge does not mean anything’ according to Radio NZ news.
Back to home page.