More Evidence Of Maharey’s Soft Approach to Welfare

“The unprecedented reviewing of all debts over $5,000 already established as being owed by beneficiaries is evidence of the unprecedented “Soft on Welfare” approach of the Minister of Social Services and Employment,” according to ACT Welfare spokesman Dr Muriel Newman.

Dr Newman said there are huge numbers of these debts. They have already been established because people have received payments to which they are not entitled. “The Minister’s move today to have all these debts revisited will prove bureaucratic and costly. It is clear evidence that the Minister has been captured by lobby groups,” she said.

“In his announcement today the Minister has signalled that he does not regard the receiving of Welfare payments to which a person is not entitled, as a serious matter,” said Muriel Newman.

“These announcements continue to demonstrate his unsuitability to lead the welfare portfolio. Steve Maharey cannot work with Christine Rankin, he has been captured by welfare advocacy groups and his soft approach to welfare will keep New Zealanders dependent rather than helping them to become independent,” she said.

“Already long term dependency is growing. By the end of April, the number of registered unemployed over 2 years had risen 8% under this new Government to 48,000. That is just the beginning. These numbers are guaranteed to rise as the impact of the anti-employment legislation that the Labour/Alliance Government is hell-bent on implementing begins to bite,” said Muriel Newman.

ENDS

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