NZ Welfare Policy: Welfare Changes Play Well In National’s Heartlands
March 31st, 2010
Re-asserting its agenda to pick up momentum again, the Govt announced wide-ranging welfare changes, as well as its mining stocktake. Both issues played well in National’s traditional heartlands, which have become concerned the Key Govt has become so enamoured of its poll ratings it won’t risk measures arousing any sort of political backlash. The tougher welfare rules are designed to push beneficiaries to look harder for work (64,000 face work tests) and eliminate the philosophy which has taken root among some segments of NZ society implying welfare is a lifestyle choice.
This philosophy was visible in one newspaper’s tear-jerking headline: “It’s like the Govt is punishing us, says Mum.” At present 345,000 people are on a benefit, at a cost to the taxpayer of $4.8bn a year. The Govt doesn’t believe its new rules will produce sizeable cash savings, but it is concerned without new rules the benefit bill will continue to grow. It sees welfare as a safety net. Critics say there are not enough jobs for those who want them, but there is some irony in those same critics being the ones who oppose developing NZ’s mineral wealth, which will lift living standards and create new jobs. The next phase in welfare reform will come next month when Tariana Turia rolls out her flagship Whanau Ora policy.
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Duncan Cotterill