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

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Welfare Expert Advisory Group report should be made public


The Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG), tasked with proposing recommendations for changes to the welfare system, has delivered its report to Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni. Despite thousands of people feeding into the report—many coming from low-income communities—the Government is withholding the findings of the report instead of making them public.

“The biggest stakeholders of this report are people on a benefit, and yet they are going to be kept in the dark about the report’s findings for a few months while political parties mull over the document”, says Ricardo Menéndez March, Auckland Action Against Poverty Coordinator.

“The Government’s response to this document should include the scrutiny of frontline advocacy groups and those on the breadline.

“While there was an opportunity to make online submissions, notice of community meetings to be held across the country was provided late and they were poorly advertised. There was no push at the Work and Income offices to encourage people on the benefit to attend the consultation meetings or provide submissions.

“Auckland Action Against Poverty rallied community members in South and West Auckland and made a submission, calling for a range of reforms in the welfare system. These included, but were not limited to, ending benefit sanctions, liveable benefit levels, and full access to entitlements.

“We are calling for the findings to be made public, and for a more transparent debate about the urgent transformative reforms Government needs to implement to build a welfare system based on support, not punishment.”

ENDS


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.

© 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.