Burden on charities

A range of charities have been at the forefront of supporting families struggling in the current environment, as noted by Bryce Marsden (‘‘NZ charities need cash and kindness’’, September 12). While their efforts are critical, fundamental social and economic changes are urgently required.

Charities cannot make these changes. Only government can reform tax, benefit and income support programmes to ensure families have adequate income and housing.

Extra resources from government for foodbanks is a totally inappropriate response. It simply deflects from undertaking the major changes that are needed. If wage subsidies can be paid quickly and additional money for foodbanks can be provided at short notice, it is not too much to expect that the core, basic changes to improve incomes can also be made quickly.

Let’s not become sidetracked by reliance on a charitable response.

Michael O’Brien, Child Poverty Action Group, Auckland