Turner: Nats' diagnosis right, prescription past expiry date

National's welfare discussion paper has diagnosed the problem, but its prescription is a rehash of 'hit 'em hard' policies of the type that won't work in isolation, United Future's social services spokeswoman Judy Turner said today.

"It's not that some of the strategies they propose are bad, but they seem to be designed to soothe taxpayer angst about welfare dependency rather than provide a constructive plan to get people into meaningful work.

"On one hand, National is right - there is a problem, but they haven't produced the solution today.

"Labour, on the other hand, needs to face up to the fact that all is not well, as I've been pointing out for weeks now in terms of the rising number of sickness beneficiaries.

"This issue needs to be addressed now, because the Kiwi sense of fairness that underpins the welfare system is being sorely tested," Mr Turner said.

© Scoop Media