Children must not become ‘collateral damage’

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne today described the Government’s welfare reform package as “bold”, but warned that beneficiaries’ children can not be allowed to become “collateral damage” from a harder line on benefits.

Mr Dunne suggested that the Families Commission be made an “independent monitor”, and report to the Government periodically on the impacts of the welfare reform package on families.

He said it was also important that a package with such large social impacts be monitored with a view to making any necessary changes to ensure that the Government’s objectives of breaking the cycle of welfare dependency are achieved.

“The package itself appears to be a careful mix of carrot and stick measures and should make a positive impact on long term dependency,” he said..

“However we really do need to look at how the children of beneficiaries, in particular, will come out of this.

“After all, children are the one group in society who are unable to choose their circumstances, but are most acutely affected by them.

“While I think the Government’s moves are well-intentioned, there is a risk of unintended adverse outcomes, as the devil will always be in the detail,” Mr Dunne said.

ENDS

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