Welfare Causes Hardworking Media Concern

Monday, 3 July 2006, 6:07 pm
Article: Kevin List

Scoop Audio: Welfare Causes Hardworking Media Concern

Today the press gallery seemed deeply concerned by the plight of New Zealand's underclass. Many questions were tossed at the Prime Minister during her regular weekly press conference regarding large numbers of people who happened to be beneficiaries living together. The problem of intergenerational dependence was also raised.

Former Labour MP and now radio talkback host John Tamihere had evidently floated the idea of non-governmental organisations controlling the purse strings of indigent welfare beneficiaries so that benefit money was spent on (presumably healthy and nutritious) food rather than alcohol and drugs.

There was some concern that Mr Tamihere's proposal may end up being expensive and creating new levels of bureaucracy. Another concern raised during the post cabinet press conference was that the organisations that would be entrusted with this task – such as the Waipareira Trust that Mr Tamihere was intricately entwined with - may not be themselves 100% financially squeaky clean.

While the media seemed concerned about welfare there was certainly no push to assist the allegedly work-shy underclass of New Zealand society through instituting Muldoonist make work schemes following progressively raising taxes.

Listen to the PM explain what decisions were made at today's cabinet meeting and later take questions from the press

Scoop Streaming Audio: PM's post-cabinet press conference, 03/07/06 – Cabinet decisions

Click here to download file (mp3)

Scoop Streaming Audio: PM's post-cabinet press conference, 03/07/06 Questions

Click here to download file (mp3)

ENDS

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