Asenati Lole-Taylor MP
Spokesperson for Welfare
23 January 2013

Welfare Reforms Set To Hurt Ordinary New Zealanders

New Zealand First says a decline in skilled job vacancies sends a clear warning to New Zealanders that unemployment is set to explode.

Welfare spokesperson Asenati Lole-Taylor says it is particularly bad news for new graduates who will struggle to compete with experienced job seekers.

“It will make it very difficult for them to find jobs and will see skilled New Zealanders continue to head overseas in search of better opportunities.”

Mrs Lole-Taylor says some employers have also indicated that our unstable economy will restrict them from employing more staff.

“Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is lulling New Zealanders into a false sense of security with the introduction of the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill when there are few skilled jobs available.

“It will lead to unemployed skilled workers having to take low-paying, unskilled jobs in what is essentially an underhand Government plan for a low wage economy.

“It goes to show that Finance Minister Bill English's intention to make savings from welfare reforms will come with a heavy human toll,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>