May 22, 2017
Greens lay down gauntlet with Budget for Mothers
The Greens have launched their Budget for all Mothers.
It promises that in government they would push to make the $220 per week parental tax credit available to all families who don’t get paid parental leave;
– Extend sick leave to a minimum 10 days a year, so parents have time to look after sick kids;
– Make the OSCAR subsidy for after school and holiday programmes available to all kids from low-income families;
– And give every new born baby a pack including a wahakura or baby pod for safe sleeping place as well as clothes, nappies and bedding.
Co-leader Metiria Turei says the name was a nod to National's 1991 Budget that slashed benefits – and which she saw the effects of first hand as an expectant mother.
"Little kids then would be in their late 20s with their own kids now and they would still be suffering the effects of the harm that was caused so we launched out budget for all Mothers which is the first step to undoing the harm that National caused our babies because parents need money and they need time to do a good job of taking care of their kids and our Budget for all Mothers is going to provide some of that," she says.
Steven Joyce's first budget as National's Finance Minister will be unveiled on Thursday.
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