AUCKLAND ACTION AGAINST POVERTY

Media Release 4th December 2012, 9:30 pm

Tough Times Make Beneficiaries Seek Greener Pastures

The revelation that some beneficiaries have been using the Transition to Work grant to relocate to Australia is just another indication that the government is failing to create jobs and opportunities here, says Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Chris Zack.

“We're sure that Paula Bennett would love to send many more beneficiaries with one way tickets across the Tasman, and with current welfare reforms we regrettably anticipate that this will be the outcome.”

“We already have 175 000 people unemployed in this country. The situation continues to get worse and the government insists on carrying on with welfare reform that will only exacerbate the situation for those struggling.”

“If we didn't find ourselves in this depressing reality, with many beneficiaries having to leave their lives here to work abroad, who knows how much higher the unemployment rate would be?"

“Even with our unemployed workers leaving en masse, this government still fails to stop rising unemployment making a mockery of their initial promise to create jobs."

ENDS

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