Bradford Should Give Beneficiaries A Break

Green MP Sue Bradford today described work-testing single parents as a, "draconian, Victorian 'punishment' for those not lucky enough to be born into wealth."

Lindsay Mitchell, campaigning for a Parliamentary review of the domestic purposes benefit, questioned Ms Bradford's archaic views.

"I am sure Ms Bradford was not born into wealth but is now reasonably comfortable on the salary of an MP. She grew up in a country where education is available to all. She has overcome difficulties, worked hard and achieved success."

"All children deserve the opportunity to reach their potential just as Sue Bradford did. They deserve to have parents who aspire for them, who are willing to do the best by their children they possibly can."

"By and large, making the right decisions about education, relationships and family, keeps people out of poverty. Luck has very little to do with it," said Mitchell.

"Yet it appears Ms Bradford would rather hand-wring over beneficiaries than take a positive, constructive, approach. Many partnered women with children work, especially when their children go to school. We don't hear them castigating their partners for having a 'Victorian, draconion' expectation that they would."

"Bradford's world view won't help the people she claims to advocate for. By not according the expectations she obviously had for herself to those who are currently on benefits, she is simply patronising them. It is not National who should give beneficiaries a break - it's Sue Bradford."

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