The Christine Rankin Impoverished Survivors' Independent Society (CRISIS) applauds news that Ms Rankin has formed her own support group.

"It must be hard to sleep at night given all the people suffering due to her poor management," said Ayesha Verrall CRISIS spokesperson.

CRISIS agrees that Ms Rankin is probably being persecuted for being a woman in a high profile job. "Clearly questions of competence and accountability are as irrelevant in WINZ as they are in the rest of the public service", says Ms Verrall. "Public persecution of Ms Rankin isn't really fair, these are quite unreasonable demands".

CRISIS is a student support group that has dealt with the fallout of WINZ bungles. "Many of our members have had their loans or allowances delayed, had debt collectors set on them and struggled to make ends meet this year. So we know that sometimes people just need support".

"Perhaps if Ms Rankin needs that much support the government should transfer the administration of loans and allowances back to universities so she can have a much needed break", suggested Ms Verrall.

CRISIS is not affiliated to the Otago University Students Association…

ENDS

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