Darroch Ball MP

Spokesperson for Social Development
20 AUGUST 2015

Minister Fails to Take WINZ Assaults Seriously

After interim spending of $11 million on security at WINZ offices the government has failed, with the number of assaults on staff doubling, says New Zealand First.

“The Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley is just not taking the assaults and threatening behaviour seriously,” says New Zealand First Spokesperson for Social Development Darroch Ball.

“After the Ashburton killings the Minister ticked off extra security then forgot about it. It was such a low priority that, when questioned in June, she was completely unaware of the number of closures of WINZ offices.

“New Zealand First was told the Minister was not prepared to commit the resources required to collate the data when clearly she should be tracking this.

“The National Government’s policies and short term damage control are making people more frustrated and are forcing more people into a life on the streets. Of course there are going to be more security problems at WINZ offices.

“The government needs to get its security right and implement all recommendations of the WINZ security review now – a two year wait is too long.

“National needs to enact policies that will result in Kiwis getting jobs and adequate housing, instead of being thrown on the scrapheap.”

ENDS

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