October 4, 2004

It's Called Pseudo-Success, Steve

According to Steve Maharey, Minister of Social Development and Employment, the number of sole parents on the DPB is down, and Labour's 'new approach is delivering results'.

"In fact, the total number of sole parents on a benefit other than unemployment is up," Lindsay Mitchell, petitioner for a Parliamentary review of the DPB responded.

"Since September 1999, the number of sole parents on the Invalid's benefit has almost doubled to nearly 5,000; the number on a sickness benefit has risen by 48 percent."

"Maharey is also being highly selective with the numbers he uses. He says that sole parents on the DPB are down from 104,199 in November 1999 to 101, 614 in July 2004 and that this is due to his reforms."

"The numbers were already as low as 101,025 in June 2001 - well before the 2003 reforms were implemented. The mid-year figures have fluctuated around this level for the last three years."

"The reality is that during a time when unemployment has dropped dramatically and jobs are plentiful, single parents have failed to take advantage leaving Steve Maharey having to make a song and dance about pseudo-success."

Lindsay Mitchell Petitioner for a Parliamentary review of the DPB forms available from www.liberalvalues.org.nz contact dandl.mitchell@clear.net.nz

ENDS

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