Hon Steve Maharey
Minister for Social Development and Employment

13 September 2005 Media Statement

Nats must tell voters cost of work for the dole

National must reveal the costs of its work for the dole scheme, Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today.

This afternoon a National spokesman tried to deny the cost of the scheme, telling NZPA 'All we have signaled in respect for working-for-the-dole are three pilots'.

"Labour's estimates – which I emphasise are very conservative – are based on the cost of these three pilots which is $100 million a year," Steve Maharey said. "Pilot one is for those under 25, pilot two for the long-term unemployed and pilot three for some people on the DPB.

"National could put the whole matter to rest by telling us what the costings are for this core National party commitment. If they can't we are once again watching the National party roll out its policy plank without any idea of how it will pay for it.

"At this point in the election campaign National has no excuse for hiding the costs of its policies from voters.

"Do they have a work for the dole policy or don't they?"

ENDS

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