Key Needs To Be Strong on Welfare Reform
 
“It is fantastic to see that National will be going into the next election campaign on a platform of welfare reform,” says Stephen Berry, Independent candidate for Tamaki. “I wonder, will their platform will be strong enough to alter the dependency mindset of hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders?”
 
Stephen Berry believes that the Government needs to get its books back into the black by 2013 and has the policies to make this happen. “I’m not satisfied with small time tinkering that leaves the state essentially still doing the same job it has failed to do for several decades. I advocate an immediate introduction of a $15,000 income tax free threshold as well as massive cuts in Government spending. A significant portion of that must come from the welfare system!”
 
“Dependency based behaviours will not change while an incentive to be dependent still exists. Government will not succeed in eliminating these behaviours with small changes to existing systems. These systems need to be wiped out completely!”
 
Stephen Berry advocates setting cut off dates for applications for the unemployment benefit and Domestic Purposes Benefit. After the cut off date no new applications will be approved and no increases in existing benefits take place. “I’m not going to steal from the productive to fund careers lying on the couch! Hard working New Zealanders have the right to keep the rewards of their labour and choose whether or not to contribute to charity.”
 
Mr Berry also proposes using the sale of state assets to plug the deficit during a transitionary period when government programs are shut down and further economically stimulating tax cuts are introduced. These state assets include the state housing system. “This is a $15.1 billion goldmine which frequently gets used and abused by those who are meant to benefit. Instead of costing millions to administer and repair, it should be funding the liberation of the productive from the shackles of the lazy.”
 
Stephen Berry would like to see the eventual abolition of a welfare system administered by the state, with the care of the needy falling to private enterprise and charity. “Poverty and dependency has grown exponentially as a result of the welfare state and the economy has been pinned down by the theft of tens of billions from the productive to pay for it. For real prosperity in New Zealand, it is essential to give this money back to those who create jobs and eliminate state welfare!”
 
Ends
 
Stephen Berry
Independent Candidate, Tamaki

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