AUCKLAND ACTION AGAINST POVERTY
Media release Tuesday 9 April 2013

Beneficiaries Receive Biggest Boot In The Guts Since '91 Cuts

Beneficiaries are to receive the biggest boot in the guts since the infamous '91 cuts says Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Sarah Thompson.

The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill will see ordinary New Zealanders become collateral damage in Bennett's race to move 100,000 people off welfare, no matter the cost.

This Bill is not about supporting people into work as National's mantra would have us believe.

Instead, it aims through sanctions, obligations, work tests, drug tests and work ability assessments to drastically increase the number of people forced to compete for low wage, insecure work.

This is all within the current climate of 284,000 jobless.

AAAP calls for decent job creation at decent wages, and a total restructuring of our welfare system, including moving towards a Universal Basic Income.

We'd also like to see every party opposing this bill give assurances that they will repeal all National's abusive welfare changes should they be part of government following the 2014 election.

ENDS

© Scoop Media