2. Child Poverty—Government Measures to AddressHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister for Child Poverty ReductionChild Poverty—Government Measures to Address2. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: Does she stand by all her statements?Hon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister for Children) on behalf of the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: I stand by my statements made as the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction in the context in which they were given.Hon Paula Bennett: So does she stand by her statement that and I quote I have long recognised [that] child poverty is a stain on this country" and if so is she heartened that the Child Poverty Monitor 2017 showed that there were 10000 less children classed as living in severe poverty since the 2016 report and material hardship had reduced by 20000 all under the previous National Government?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: In answer to the first part of the question yes; in answer to the second part of the question yes; in answer to the third part of the question it is technically true that the National Party was in Government at that time but it may be a bit early to actually decide that it was all their own work.Hon Paula Bennett: Can she confirm that the only benefit increase in the last 40 years was done by the previous National Government because they are the dividends you can get from growing the economy and responsibly managing the Government's finances?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: I can confirm that the previous Government raised beneficiary rates. I can also confirm that they slashed many other programmes when they first came into Government.Dr Liz Craig: What are the Government's plans to reduce child poverty?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: The Government has many plans with which to reduce child poverty and these include the introduction of a child poverty reduction bill shortly Best Start payments extending paid parental leave winter energy payments increasing Working for Families and tackling housing issues.Hon Paula Bennett: What is her Government's target for reductions in the number of children living in benefit-dependent households given the previous Government's policies resulted in—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member has finished her question. Hon Paula Bennett: Oh I was just giving it a bit of rounding.Mr SPEAKER: No I did make it clear I think yesterday that I was going to be tighter on questions. The member has asked a supplementary question and adding a "given" afterwards about the actions of a previous Government is not the responsibility of this member.Hon Paula Bennett: May I reword my question then sir because it was kind of a fullness of question and I'd like to reword it.Mr SPEAKER: Yes—I'll be kind.Hon Paula Bennett: Thank you Mr Speaker. Can the Government please confirm that we had a reduction of 60000 fewer children living in households with poverty since 2011?Mr SPEAKER: I think I am going to ask the member to reword her question again because I think she ended up with a double negative and that she didn't get what she wanted.Hon Paula Bennett: OK let's give this another go. Can the Minister please confirm that we have seen a result of 60000 fewer children living in benefit-dependent households since 2011?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: No I cannot confirm that unfortunately. I don't have those figures in front of me.Hon Paula Bennett: Can she confirm that one of the benefits of a strong growing economy is the number of children in material hardship dropping from 220000 in 2011 to 135000 in 2016?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: I can confirm that a strong and growing economy should result in a positive impact for those children that live in poverty but what we have seen is that unfortunately there seems to be a greater impact on those at the top end of the scale and this Government would like to see that more evenly spread.Hon Paula Bennett: Will she commit to supporting social investment as a tool for driving the individualised changes needed to lift more children out of poverty?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: This Government will commit to its poverty reduction target. It commits to placing those into legislation so that it can hold itself and future Governments to account for the outcomes for children. With regard to a policy that was part of the previous Government I cannot make that commitment. Jo Hayes: When will the Minister announce whether she intends to keep Whānau Ora as the key funding priority for her Government?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: I don't believe the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction has responsibility for that area.Mr SPEAKER: Sorry I shouldn't have allowed it."