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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is accusing Labour of playing politics with youth mental health by criticising campaigner Mike King.
The Labour Party is calling for the coalition to suspend its $24 million investment in King’s Gumboot Friday initiative after he says alcohol is “the solution” to mental health issues.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB on Wednesday, King said alcohol was not a problem for people who were mentally unwell, going as far as suggesting alcohol had done more good than harm.
“If the government doesn’t pause the funding it’s essentially sending a message to young people between the ages of five and 25 that alcohol is some kind of solution for mental health distress and concern,” Labour’s mental health spokesperson Ingrid Leary told RNZ yesterday.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has distanced himself from King, saying he respects him but disagrees with his comments about alcohol.
Speaking in Auckland this morning, Luxon said he also disagreed with the comments but stood by the work King’s charity does and his government’s investment in it.
“There’s no doubt about it, alcohol harm’s a major issue here in New Zealand but we are very supportive of the work of Gumboot Friday. The fact that 15,000 young people are getting their free counselling is actually really special,” Luxon said.
“I appreciate the opposition want to make it a political issue. I would just say I wouldn’t play politics with youth mental health.”
RNZ
