Labour Party - Response to policy request Contributing to an Election 2008 feature in  Kiwi Parent

These responses reflect the policies and actions of Labour in government. The Labour Party’s detailed policy for the next parliamentary term and beyond will be released closer to the election.

1. Parenting Environment— Taking into account housing affordability, the rising cost of food and high rates of inflation, what is your party’s view on creating an environment where mothers and fathers can parent effectively?

In government Labour has been dedicated to securing the highest possible living standards for families. Our priority has been to create sustainable economic growth and increase the supply of quality jobs, so that families can be supported through paid work.

Three out of four New Zealand families have benefited from Working for Families, which combines tax credits with support to meet childcare and accommodation costs. On average a working family is $57 a week better off as a result.

Labour acknowledges the financial pressures on many hardworking Kiwi households. The programme of tax cuts we will announce in this year’s Budget will help relieve that pressure – while we also commit to maintaining our vital investments in health, education and other services.

2. Action Plan for Women— What are your views on the Action Plan for Women and how does your party value and respect women's ambitions andaspirations, not only in the workforce?

Labour is committed to assisting women of all ages and backgrounds to reach their full potential and the Action Plan for New Zealand Women is part of that commitment. We put this Plan in place because we needed a whole-of-government approach to improving women’s lives in the workplace, home and the community.

Labour has made flexible working hours a reality by giving all employees the right to ask for work hours that fit around their family, and will help families balance work and home life, promote pay and employment equity, and create opportunities for all women.

3. Family violence— What will your party do to ensure facilities and resources are available for families to help those at risk free themselves from violence?

Addressing family violence has been a major focus for Labour in government. Family violence jeopardises children’s wellbeing, including their health, education and long-term outcomes.

That’s why we launched the It’s Not OK! initiative. The TV ads, information helpline and website (www.areyouok.org.nz) provide information and encouragement for all of us to play our part in ending family violence.

We’ve also provided additional support for community-based child and family service providers in the family violence sector, established more Family Violence Courts, reviewed the Domestic Violence Act, and developed the Strategies with Kids - Information for Parents programme (SKIP).

4. Education— What value do you place on early childhood education versus the role of the parent in raising their child and what policies does your party have to allow parents sufficient time with their children for attachment and connection to occur?

Labour believes that parents are the best people to make decisions about how to raise their children, and we aim to increase the support and choices available to them. We have put policies in place that allow parents to spend more time with their children, like fourteen weeks paid parental leave, four weeks annual leave and giving all employees the right to ask for work hours that fit around their family.

Quality early childhood education also plays a crucial part in building the foundations for successful learning. That’s why we have funded 20 free hours for children aged three and four, and significantly boosted funding for parent-led centres like playcentres and kohanga reo.

5. Families Commission— What value do you place on the role of the Families Commission in New Zealand? What are your party’s intentions towards the Families Commission, do you intend to keep it, disband it or change its current form?

Labour believes that families are the backbone of our country and we want all families to and whänau to have the capacity to care for and nurture their members. We set up the Families Commission in July 2004 as an independent Crown entity to advocate for the interests of all families. They encourage informed debate about families, advocate for families and conduct research about issues facing families. We think the Families Commission does an important job and will continue to fund it.

6. Learning difficulties— In 2007 thespectrum ofdyslexic thinking was recognised. What investment will your party make in supporting and resourcing children who learn differently?

Labour is committed to making sure that all New Zealand children, however they learn, receive the assistance they need to realise their full potential and strive for excellence. We have invested heavily to create an education system that caters to the individual needs of students. Schools Plus, NCEA and the new national curriculum all put personalised learning at the heart of our education system, including meeting the needs of those children who learn differently.

We also have a number of very effective programmes of support for struggling readers and writers with dyslexia, including a new resource called Dyslexia - Breaking Down the Barriers.

7. Breastfeeding— How does your party plan to encourage and better support breastfeeding women?

Labour wants all babies to receive the very best start in life and breastfeeding plays a major part in this. We know that one of the main reasons why women stop breastfeeding early is because they return to the workforce. That is why we have introduced paid parental leave to allow parents to spend those vital first few months with their new born baby, and introduced changes that require employers to provide facilities and breaks for employees who wish to breast-feed. We also released the National Strategic Plan of Action for Breastfeeding, with practical ways to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies for longer.

8. Health— Dollars invested in early intervention and primary health care are marked to deliver outcomes. What policies does your party have to ensure a high standard of health care is available for all New Zealand families?

Labour wants every New Zealander to have access to quality medical care, from our children to our seniors. We have invested heavily in health and, through the creation of Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), doctor visits are cheaper and most prescriptions reduced to $3. We are caring for our smallest citizens, our children, by ensuring that they have good health from day one. All children are eligible for newborn hearing tests, immunisations, and ‘B4 School’ checks to check the health of every child before they start primary school.

9. Maternity care— Many parts of New Zealand struggle to cope with inadequate birthing facilities, crowded delivery suites, too few midwives and stretched neonatal facilities ... how do you plan to address this shortage?

Labour is committed to giving all children the best possible start. We are supporting our midwifery workforce to continue to deliver quality maternity services. New midwives are now receiving mentoring support to help retain them in their new practices and there is particular support in rural areas. By supporting our maternity workforce we will grow the workforce and ensure services can deliver for mothers and babies. We aim to strengthen the links between maternity services and primary health care to offer women a better overall service. This would mean that midwives could potentially work out of your local GP’s practice, giving women another option in maternity care.

10. Well Child Services— Parents Centres believes the Well Child starts with Well Parents. What is your parties view on this philosophy and what thinking do you have around extending delivery of Well Child services to encompass the Well Parent pre birth andconception?

We know that pregnancy and preparation for birth is an amazing and sometimes stressful time for parents-to-be and their families. We know that having access to free maternity care is an important part of helping people access the information and support they need Working closely with your lead maternity carer can help you make more informed decisions about birthing and post-natal care. However there is always more to be done and we are actively pursing new ideas for how we can help provide an even better service to our growing families.