Bennett discriminates against solo mothers

While Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett continues to trumpet her Community Max scheme as making a positive difference for young people, she is forgetting about young mums that she has barred from accessing the scheme, Labour Associate Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni says.

“The scheme is designed to provide work experience and greater opportunities for young people on the unemployment and independent youth benefits but 16 to 24-year-olds on the Domestic Purposes Benefit are being excluded from taking part and working themselves off the benefit,” Carmel Sepuloni said.

“The policy barring young mothers from participating in the scheme is illogical and discriminatory. Young mothers on the DPB should be entitled to the same opportunities as other young people.

“I know of at least one case where an intelligent and eager-to-work young mother wasn’t able to fill a position for which she was the first choice, as it was subsidised by the Community Max programme.

“The Minister has said that ‘National’s focus is on younger sole parents with dependent children because these are the families most likely to be in poverty.’ Why then does she rule them ineligible for the Community Max scheme?

“Through her own experience, Paula Bennett is well aware of the challenges and barriers that face young solo mothers. By denying them access to the Community Max scheme, she is doing them a grave disservice,” Carmel Sepuloni said.

“I have made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission asking them to examine this policy to see whether it is in breech of the Human Rights Act on the grounds of family status and sex,” Carmel Sepuloni said.

ENDS

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