In New Zealand, major reforms brought in by Jacinda Ardern’s government aim to lower the number of children who live in poverty.

The reforms include the Child Poverty Reduction Act, the introduction of a wellbeing budget framework and social security reforms.
NZ expert Dr Michael Fletcher says these measures are an ‘excellent advance’, and while there are no guarantees, are ‘likely to lead to lasting change’. He’s a senior researcher with the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, and gives a detailed overview and analysis in this Brotherhood Talk. 

Professor Shelley Mallet, head of the Brotherhood’s Research and Policy Centre, then leads a panel discussion with Dr Fletcher about the reforms, and how they relate to child poverty policies in Australia.  

The panellists are:
Professor Cindy Kiro, pro vice-chancellor, Maori, Auckland University; chair of a key New Zealand Government expert advisory group and former NZ Children’s Commissioner
Brian Howe, former Australian Deputy Prime Minister, and 
Andi Sebastian, Council for Single Mothers and their Children policy and advocacy coordinator.

This talk took place to mark Anti-Poverty Week in October 2019.

Duration: One hour and three minutes 
Published/podcast: February 2020
Producers: Aysha Zackariya and Sharon Lee
Music: Lee Rosevere

A lasting impact: child poverty reforms in New Zealand

Public policy specialist Andrew Wear argues we should be optimistic about resolving some of the toughest policy dilemmas in Australia and elsewhere.

His new book is titled ‘Solved! How other countries have cracked the world’s biggest problems, and we can too.’ He says it provides an evidence base to show change is ‘absolutely possible’.

Among the examples he highlights: Denmark is on track to attain 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, Norway has achieved higher living standards with better wealth distribution, South Korea’s health system and diet has led to higher life expectancy and the United Kingdom has slashed levels of violent crime.

Andrew Wear is a senior public policy adviser in Victoria, and a fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia. His work is published in peer-reviewed journals as well as in The Mandarin and The Guardian.

In this Brotherhood Talk, he speaks with Professor Shelley Mallett, head of the Brotherhood of St Laurence Research and Policy Centre. This talk place took in February 2020.

Duration: 50 minutes 31 seconds
Published/Pocast: March 2020
Production: Aysha Zackariya and Sharon Lee
Music: Lee Rosevere

https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/solved
https://www.bsl.org.au/research/

Absolutely possible: how big problems have been solved around the world

The Brotherhood of St Laurence works for an Australia free of poverty. We provide services, conduct research and run advocacy campaigns.

Brotherhood of St Laurence

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