Darroch Ball MP

Spokesperson for Social Development
6 OCTOBER 2015

Minister Fails to Address WINZ Security

Failure to tackle risks at WINZ offices is leading to more and more armed security scares, says New Zealand First.

“The Minister for Social Development Anne Tolley has failed to address the multiple security breaches at WINZ offices since the deaths in Ashburton last year, and now there has been an incident in Christchurch,” says New Zealand First Spokesperson for Social Development Darroch Ball.

“The Minister has shown a lack of understanding of the seriousness of these security breaches and has failed to protect staff.

“New Zealand First has been asking the Minister for months about how she plans to protect WINZ staff. We said months ago that the two-year wait for a plan is far too long and the Minister has placed the issue on low priority.

“As we said in August, the National Government’s policies and short term damage control are causing frustration and forcing more people into a life on the streets. Of course there are going to be more security problems at WINZ offices,” says Mr Ball.

“The government needs to get its security right and implement all recommendations of the WINZ security review now – a two-year wait is too long.”

ENDS

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