Monday 13th Dec 1999
Muriel Newman
Media Release -- Social Welfare

Labour is promising that within a year the unemployed will be kicked off successful community wage schemes.

ACT Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said the new Minister of Social Services Steve Maharey is continuing with his plan to scrap the community wage without having positive alternative to put in its place.

"For many on benefits a Labour/Alliance Government was an election outcome they were dreading because they knew Labour and the Alliance would end the programmes that are giving them the skills and confidence to get their own real jobs.

"It would be an absolute tragedy if Steve Maharey closed down successful programmes like Otara's Rangatira Trust that has a 70 percent success rate in placing long-term unemployed in real jobs. The programme gives unemployed people, otherwise without hope, work experience, job and life skills designed for them personally to build up their confidence and self esteem. The Trust is giving a real hand up to help people from welfare to work.

"It's community projects like the Rangitira Trust that are the real key to reducing inequality in our communities and helping people to succeed. Labour and the Alliance appear determined to just leave New Zealanders on the scrap heap with no support to get them into real jobs," said Muriel Newman.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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