Welfare Debate 9 June 2004, 7pm

Event Details:

POVERTY: A budget decision?

Wednesday 9 June 7pm St Johns in the City, Conference Centre

Panelists:
Steve Maharey, Social Services Minister
Brian Easton, Economist
Muriel Newman, MP
Anne Else, Social Policy theorist
Sue Bradford MP
Paul Blair, Beneficiaries Advocate

Host: Wellington People’s Centre

Further Information: Jessica or Miranda on 385 8596

The Wellington People’s Centre is hosting a debate on welfare provision in New Zealand that will focus on what’s happened since the 1991 benefit cuts, where we are now including what this year’s Budget really means, and what we might expect to happen in the future.

Politicians and experts from the community sector will discuss and argue about the causes of poverty and possible solutions, how to create an inclusive society, and whether we’re on the right track.

“Welfare reform has been signaled by opposition parties as a key election issue. Given the recent Budget announcements, and the particular views of some of participants, the debate should be a lively one, organiser Jessica Morrison of the Wellington People’s Centre says.

“It is vital that we go beyond the sound bites. This debate will probe and question what the current policies really mean, whether the Budget has hidden in it any nasties, and whether we can learn anything from welfare policies of the past.”

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