Hon Tony Ryall - National Party Immigration Spokesman

15 December 2004

Zaoui should not get emergency benefit

Ahmed Zaoui should not be eligible for an emergency benefit, says National's Immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall.

Under normal circumstances, Mr Zaoui would be eligible for the emergency benefit of $194 per week.

But, according to Work and Income*, to qualify for an emergency benefit a claimant must:

* Be lawfully in New Zealand. * Prove they did not contribute to the situation they find themselves in. * Prove hardship.

Mr Ryall says it is clear that Mr Zaoui fails all three tests, so he should not get a benefit.

"He has cost the taxpayers of this country enough money already - he has been showered with more than $1 million in legal aid.

"Taxpayers will be outraged if they have to pay him a benefit. Mr Zaoui has never paid one dollar in tax in this country," Mr Ryall says.

"For a man who came here illegally, the wages of his sin could be welfare."

* see Winz website: http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/ www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures

ENDS

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