August 2011 edition

> download the August 2011 edition of the Public Sphere newsletter (PDF, 1.16MB)

Editorial

Democratic government is valued highly in the western world. The dictionary defines democracy as ‘a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people’. Democracy places the view of the people at the centre of government and the maintenance of decent society.

It is vital to the health of a democracy that people have opportunities to express their views about what governments should focus on. In New Zealand, we have this opportunity at the triennial General Election of Members of Parliament.

Fairfax Media Research recently released a poll which found that three of the top issues concerning people in New Zealand were the state of education, the drug and alcohol culture, and the cost of living. In the last year, The Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit has highlighted the need for policy change in all of these three areas.

In education we have drawn attention to facts concerning the lack of early childhood educational provision for Maori and for geographical areas of high need. We have been concerned about the achievement gap for pupils in Year 11. For children in low decile schools, usually in poorer areas, achievement levels are significantly lower than high decile schools.

The Social Policy Unit has campaigned strongly for a change to New Zealand’s drinking culture, highlighting five needed policy initiatives that we believe could help to accomplish a change:

• severe restrictions on the advertising and marketing of alcohol
• a 50% increase in the excise tax on alcohol
• a drinking age of 20
• lowering of the blood alcohol driving limit
• reduction on the outlets and hours alcohol can be sold

Cost-of-living issues are obvious judging by the growing queue of people seeking assistance at Salvation Army food banks. The Social Policy Unit has argued for changes in housing policy and for policies that directly lift people out of poverty.

As the politicians join the election trail, it is important that the voice of responsible New Zealand is heard on the issues of concern; not selfishly advocating for changes that will personally benefit us or our own interests, but rather, pressing political parties to adopt policies that improve educational opportunity, affordable housing and sound standards of living for households currently struggling to survive. Finally, we must advocate for policies that reduce the tragic effects of the abuse of alcohol on New Zealand families.

This election is a chance for political parties to listen to the voice of the people, and respond to what they hear with their policies and programmes.