Government-Funded Fatherlessness

Sunday 25 Jan 2004 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Social Welfare

ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today asked how Labour could claim to encourage DPB mothers to name their children's father when new information shows that, even with the 70A deduction, one beneficiary was paid $731.10 a week.

"Answers to my written Parliamentary Questions have revealed that, as of October 2003, two DPB mothers who had the 70A deduction imposed upon them received total weekly payments of $731.10 and $705.60," Dr Newman said.

"Other Domestic Purposes Beneficiaries received weekly payments of $695.94, $688.10 and $678.86 - after money was deducted from their benefits. This raises the question of what kind of deterrent the 70A deduction really is - not to mention how much these women would have received had the 70A not been imposed.

"Statistics show that New Zealand is becoming an increasingly fatherless society. By perpetuating the current system, and not encouraging DPB mothers to name the father of their children, Labour is creating this fatherless society.

"Toothless deterrents are not deterrents at all, and research has long shown that children raised without their fathers are more prone to negative outcomes in life. This is not what New Zealanders want.

"ACT is calling for strong welfare and family law reform - and social policy to encourage fathers to be included in their children's upbringing - to ensure that children have the best chance in life, and that negative outcomes are not predetermined," 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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