How long do we have to put up with the 'sustainability' slogan?
International reports show that countries with a higher economic performance are usually better at looking after the environment.
Norway, Iceland, Canada, Switzerland and Austria are in the top 10 for both the International Monetary Fund's Gross Domestic Product per capital rankings and the World Economic Forum's environmental index.
Labour has already failed its first hurdle in living up to their slogan of sustainability. Seven years ago, Helen Clark announced her goal of returning New Zealand to the top half of the OECD rankings; but, we're still waiting for that to happen. It's interesting that she no longer mutters this. The sustainability term will also no doubt become history much like the often-mentioned 'closing the gaps'.
What's the reason for not reaching her lofty goal? It's because our economy hasn't truly benefited from the favourable economic conditions of the past seven years because of her Government's tax- and-spend policy.
This week, Unicef ranked New Zealand in the bottom half of developed countries on two-thirds of their measures when it comes to looking after our kids.
The response from the Government was predictable. Steve Maharey said the data was old and out of date. But, as National's Judith Collins has pointed out, the number of substantiated abuse cases has doubled from 6,000 in 2000 to 13,000 in 2006. Child, Youth and Family expect more than 70,000 notifications of child abuse this year - when Labour took office in 1999/00 that figure was 28,000.
I was recently approached by a photographer who wanted to document New Zealand's real poverty. He told me he was glad John Key had raised the issue because now we couldn't continue to turn a blind eye. The photographer has identified locations in South Auckland where living conditions can be described as heaven and hell co-existing at close range. When these photos have been taken I will table them in Parliament so the Government can see what's really happening out there.
The revelation that the KidsCan charity has been overwhelmed by demand from schools for food proves this. KidsCan says that since John Key highlighted the fact that kids are going to school without breakfast, or even lunch, they'd had a further 50 schools get in touch asking for help, in addition to the 61 they're already helping. And more schools are coming forward each day.
Helen Clark's visit to Owairaka yesterday, almost two weeks after John Key went there, shows she's following rather than leading on this issue. There's no doubt John Key is setting the agenda for the parliamentary year.
Other figures illustrate the extent of the youth problem. The Ministry of Justice says there has been a rise in serious crime committed by young people, with aggravated robberies by 14- to 16-year-olds growing from 10 offences per 10,000 in 2004 to 15 offences in 2005. Meanwhile, assaults per 10,000 rose from 66 to 70.
One youth worker, a Mr Wilson, believes that these crimes are being committed by children who live in homes with parents who have a 'victim and grievance mentality, resulting in kids who are angry about anything and everything'.
He says these kids have chips on their shoulders and that nothing will change until society stops casting them in the roles of victims.
The truth is, we do have an underclass, and John Key and our National team aren't just talking about it, or waiting until we get become the Government to tackle it. We are coming up with real solutions, involving business and community groups, to make it happen now.
Together we can ensure that community values are upheld, our kids are safe, well looked after and fed, and that New Zealand has a Government that helps where it's needed.
