Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Maharey spend-up can't hide the truth
Maharey spend-up can't hide the truth
Wednesday 19 Jan 2005
Dr Muriel Newman - Press Releases - Social Welfare
ACT Deputy Leader and Social Welfare spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today accused Labour of carrying out an election year stunt to address the shocking growth in the number of adults receiving the sickness benefit.
The MP was responding to Social Development Minister Steve Maharey's announcement today that the Government is to spend $27 million to get long-term unemployed and sickness beneficiaries into work.
"Under Labour the number of adults supported by the sickness benefit has skyrocketed by over 30 percent in just five years - from 40,000 to 54,000.
"Worse, the number of New Zealanders who have languished on the sickness benefit for over 10 years has increased 63 percent from 3,322 to 5,415.
"Five years of soft-on-welfare policies by Steve Maharey cannot be swept under the carpet by election year bravado," Dr Newman said.
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On unemployment, Winston Peters’ low boiling point and music criticism
Labour Party: National Gaslights Women Fighting For Equal Pay
The Treasury: New Treasury Paper On The Productivity Slowdown
NZ Government: Government Recommits To Equal Pay
Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter: Deputy Mayor ‘disgusted’ By Response To Georgina Beyer Sculpture
Te Pāti Māori: Māori Unemployment Rate Increases By More Than Four-Times National Rates
Government: Streamlining Building Consent Changes
