Maharey Exposed Over Sole Parent Work Testing

Thursday 17th Aug 2000 Dr Muriel Newman Media Release -- Social Welfare

Voting against the Green Party’s Social Security Private Member’s Bill which aimed to remove work testing of sole parents has embarrassed the Minister of Social Services Steve Maharey, and again exposed him as the Minister of “flip-flops,” ACT Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman, said today.

Dr Newman said Mr Maharey gained publicity and popularity in Opposition by railing against sole parents being work tested.

“Now, instead of supporting the Green Party Bill that would have abolished the work testing provision, he has flip-flopped and voted against it,” she said.

“Steve Maharey has gained a reputation for being all talk and no substance. His actions over the Green’s Bill has simply confirmed that.

“Further, the Minister’s vote against the Bill was a clear sign that the Government has shafted the Green Party, by using them to pass the extremely radical and controversial Employment Relations Bill and then dropping them like a hot potato.

“The Green Party should reflect on the Government’s lack of support for their Bill to go to a select committee, and consider doing the same to the Government’s Social Security Bill when it is debated next week”, Dr Newman said.

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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