AUCKLAND ACTION AGAINST POVERTY

Media Release 4th December 2012, 9:30 pm

Tough Times Make Beneficiaries Seek Greener Pastures

The revelation that some beneficiaries have been using the Transition to Work grant to relocate to Australia is just another indication that the government is failing to create jobs and opportunities here, says Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Chris Zack.

“We're sure that Paula Bennett would love to send many more beneficiaries with one way tickets across the Tasman, and with current welfare reforms we regrettably anticipate that this will be the outcome.”

“We already have 175 000 people unemployed in this country. The situation continues to get worse and the government insists on carrying on with welfare reform that will only exacerbate the situation for those struggling.”

“If we didn't find ourselves in this depressing reality, with many beneficiaries having to leave their lives here to work abroad, who knows how much higher the unemployment rate would be?"

“Even with our unemployed workers leaving en masse, this government still fails to stop rising unemployment making a mockery of their initial promise to create jobs."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>