Attorney-General slams Bennett’s welfare reforms

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has suffered an embarrassing blow with the Attorney-General slamming her proposed welfare reforms finding they breach Bill of Rights Act tests, Labour’s Deputy Leader Annette King said today.

“In a report mysteriously released a day after John Key and Paula Bennett announced reforms, their Cabinet colleague Attorney-General Chris Finlayson found the proposals ‘cause discrimination on three prohibited grounds: sex, marital status and family status,” Annette King said.

“Despite legal advice alerting the Government of major flaws in their proposal from a senior minister, John Key and Paula Bennett went ahead with their dog whistle that the unemployed don't want to work.

“Paula Bennett has been exposed. She cares more about looking tough than addressing the real issues facing those on benefits.

“Surely these concerns were raised at Cabinet this week, so why didn’t we hear anything from Paula Bennett or John Key on this yesterday? Did the Government deliberately hold back this information?”

The Attorney-General’s report found inconsistencies in National’s plan to introduce work tests for those on the Domestic Purposes Benefit. It found that despite being in similar situations, those on a Widow’s Benefit or Woman Alone Benefit would have been treated differently to Kiwis on the DPB.

Annette King said the findings prove just how ill thought out Paula Bennett’s reforms are.

“Instead of putting the boot into the vast majority of beneficiaries, why doesn't National do something positive about jobs and training,” Annette King said.

“In the rush to look tough Paula Bennett has left masspive holes in her plan.“

ENDS

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