Judith Collins
National Party Welfare Spokeswoman

10 September 2007

Govt finally admits sickness & invalid initiatives a failure

Labour has finally admitted that millions of taxpayer dollars aimed at helping sickness and invalid beneficiaries get work have gone down the gurgler, says National’s Welfare spokeswoman, Judith Collins.

Ms Collins is responding to an announcement that Labour is introducing ‘new’ services to help those on the sickness and invalid benefits find work.

“This appears to be a replica of the spectacularly unsuccessful PATHS scheme which was launched in 2004.

“Back then, the Labour Government said the programme was designed to help people on benefits get back into work by providing access to a range of ‘health interventions’.

“Today, Steve Maharey says beneficiaries will have access to a $10 million annual fund to obtain operations and treatment.

“PATHS has been a dismal failure. Participation rates have been extremely low despite the fact the scheme is available to all sickness and invalid beneficiaries.

“Since PATHS was implemented, sickness and invalid benefit numbers have continued to soar to record highs.

“The number of sickness beneficiaries aged 16 and over is currently 49,227 and the number on invalid benefits is a whopping 79,338.

“This latest programme is just another feel-good scheme which is destined to fail.

“Labour’s track record regarding sickness and invalid beneficiaries is a national disgrace.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media