Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

It will take time and commitment to develop, sector by sector, issue by issue. Not all
opportunities will be able to be developed or funded: but those that are will have a real
possibility of moving ahead. Where devolved funding can create greater efficiencies and
effectiveness, Labour will explore this possibility. Where the social inclusion approach can
make a real difference, we need to let it do its work.
Protecting the vulnerable
Currently, the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989 determines how the
state intervenes to protect children from abuse and neglect, and to prevent and address
child and youth offending. Time and constant reinterpretation of this once ground-breaking
Act means it is no longer working as it should for many families today. The previous Labour
Government began the process of updating this Act, however, that bill which made minor
changes to clarify its intentions languished at the bottom of the Order Paper under the
National Government.
Labour will direct the Ministry of Social Development along with the Ministry of
Justice to conduct a review of the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act
1989 with the view rewriting the law to better reflect the needs of children and
families in the 21st Century.
This will allow Labour to examine the evidence of what methods and approaches work for
dealing with children and adopting those to have an efficient system.
Combating violence against women
New Zealand has a serious and worrying problem with family violence and the
consequences of this violence are huge. There are costs to individuals, families and the
community. These include depression, the loss of confidence and other consequences that
remain long after the physical injuries have healed. Children are also hurt by this violence in
many ways, including fear and trauma from seeing their mother hurt.
Just to give a sense of scale – in 2008 the Police responded to 82,692 incidents involving
some form of domestic violence. We must do something real to change the violence that
pervades our culture. Labour recognises that the response to violence requires action in the
criminal justice system as well as in public health and education.
A comprehensive approach is required to deal with the consequences of violence against
women and to change the culture that leads to such violence. Labour believes this will
require a long term unified commitment by politicians, women‟s and community
organisations, government agencies and New Zealanders.
Labour will ensure that policies to deal with family and sexual violence recognise the
gender perspective.
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