Media Release

Losing The War On Family Violence
Tuesday September 4, 2007

As the Prime Minister today launched yet another anti-family violence
initiative, more babies were being born into non-working homes.

"Every year thousands of babies are born on to new or existing benefits.
Many of these babies will join the ranks of the most at-risk children in
New Zealand."

"Last year Work and Income acknowledged that New Zealand has a very high
rate of family violence and that many victims are beneficiaries. Hence
service centres are an excellent place to identify victims."

"Instead of acting rationally and questioning to what extent easy
access to benefits actually adds to violence by facilitating
dysfunctional lifestyles, the best plan of action the government can
offer is to develop ever more resources to fight the growing incidence."

"An honest appraisal of what role welfare has played in breaking down
committed and independent families would be a far more valuable exercise
than anything else proposed to date. "

"There is a clear connection between welfare dependence and family
violence. It is a vain hope that the second will diminish while the
first is allowed to continue."

ends

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