Roger McClay: Family focus doesn't address the plight of needy children

COMMENT

The 2004 Budget decidedly opted for the state supporting more and more New Zealanders.

It's a good financial gain for many people, but for children there are still many legitimate needs left to address.

There's much to be pleased about in this fifth Budget from Dr Cullen.

Families will be pleased to be getting back some of what's been stripped from them in years gone by.

Low- and middle-income families with young children have many and varied costs to meet. School fees, charges for medical help, keeping a motor vehicle going, paying the rent or mortgage and feeding hungry young mouths makes life pretty hard for many families.

But the most vulnerable in families are the children. They can't change their circumstances. Some of them are still trapped in predicaments only the Government can fix.

The state is taking on responsibility for more and more people but for some, the most vulnerable, sadly, there's been no action.

For many, life will be better in the years ahead as family financial support comes into force. They'll be pleased their grandparents seem more likely to now get hip replacements and the like.

But such good things do not address the plight of large numbers of children whose circumstances are less than in good order.

In health, welfare and education, too many children wait to be treated fairly and with respect by their society, represented by the state.

In health terms, the Budget has not addressed the following outrageous omissions suffered by children.

* Waiting lists for ear infections and the fitting of grommets ($4000 to $5000 to go private).

* Alcohol and drug treatment not available to many.

* No help with glasses for children with sight problems.

* Tooth decay going unchecked.

* Cancer treatment only available in Australia for some (our children and young people are 25 per cent of our population. They get barely 10 per cent of the health vote).

In welfare terms, telephone helplines are going broke and counselling services for children are not available as of right.

Yes, the big spend on families is great, but children still wait in vain for injustices and unfair traditions of their very own society to be reversed.

The children of New Zealand will be pleased about family help, but disappointed that so much has yet to be addressed for them.

* Roger McClay is a former Commissioner for Children