59062 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction

59062 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: How does the Minister reconcile current child poverty data with the Government’s public statements that it remains on track to meet legislated targets?

Hon Louise Upston: In June 2024, the Government set the third intermediate child poverty targets, as required under the Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018. In setting the targets at that time, the intent was to commit to targets that would be achievable. Commitments across Budget’s 2024 and 2025 were made to make progress towards the targets, and are delivering key actions under the Child and Youth Strategy Action Plan to contribute to reducing child material hardship. Some of the key actions in the Action Plan that are contributing to reducing material hardship include delivery of the ECE Food Programme, delivery of the Healthy School Lunches programmes, and ongoing implementation of Welfare that Works.