New Group Targets Government Welfare Agenda – Friday Picket

A new Auckland based anti-poverty group is to hold its first public action tomorrow with a picket outside the Henderson Work & Income offices.

‘Auckland Action Against Poverty is made up of people from diverse backgrounds who believe the Government’s current direction on welfare policies is abhorrent,’ says spokesperson Sue Bradford.

‘We have chosen Friday 3 December as the date for our first action because it marks the International Day of Persons with Disability.’

‘It is deeply ironic that just last week Paula Rebstock and the Government Welfare Working Group issued a paper putting up options that will hugely increase the harassment and difficulties for people on invalids and sickness benefits.’

‘This is a Government which uses the language of disability empowerment to pretend that forcing sick, injured and disabled people off benefits and into paid work is the best thing for them, when in fact Work & Income harassment often compounds peoples’ suffering.

‘In the light of the most recent ‘options paper’ and of John Key’s comments yesterday about making welfare a priority for Government action next year, we are deeply fearful of what National will do next.’

‘This picket is the first activity in an ongoing campaign of action aimed at exposing and opposing the Government’s agenda on jobs, poverty and welfare.’

ENDS

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