Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Greens welcome fairer vision for welfare

Greens welcome fairer vision for welfare


The launch of an alternative working group on welfare will help promote discussion of positive change for New Zealand’s welfare system, said the Green Party today.

The six-member Alternative Welfare Working Group was launched today and has been set up by the Catholic aid and social justice agency Caritas, the Anglican Social Justice Commission, and the Beneficiary Advocacy Federation.

“This group will help promote discussion of how we can develop a fairer more caring society where everyone’s welfare is looked after,” said Catherine Delahunty, Green Party Work and Income spokesperson.

“John Key’s Welfare Working Group is solely focussed on cost cutting and is promoting a culture of beneficiary bashing which isn’t helpful or fair.

“This Group will take a wide view of the issues that affect vulnerable New Zealanders who need support and look at innovative approaches to welfare. Disappointingly, the Welfare Working Group has very narrow terms of reference and hasn't taken an inclusive approach,” said Ms Delahunty.

“It's really important that a diverse range of voices are represented in discussions about the future of our welfare system. This must include people who live on welfare and those who work directly with them.

“It is great that this Group, unlike the Government’s Group, will include representatives from the disabled community.
“With the current Government attack on sick and disabled people who receive income support, it is vital that people with direct experience of these issues can have their say.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“We are also delighted to see that Sue Bradford will be involved as she has always been a great advocate for people in need and will bring a wealth of experience to the role.

“John Key’s Government is intent on blaming and punishing beneficiaries. Alternative visions of welfare and forums like the Alternative Welfare Working Group to share them in are more important now than ever.”

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.