Long Wait For Nothing

Thursday 27 May 2004 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Social Welfare

The most significant fact about welfare reform in today's Budget is the fact that there is none, ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today.

"Nothing. No single generic benefit. No simplification of the complex benefit system. But these are the things that Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey has promised for years," Dr Newman said.

"There was plenty of hype in 2000, and every year until now. Mr Maharey mused and promoted - he even claimed that a simplified or single generic benefit was his big four-year project - and today was supposed to be Mr Maharey's delivery, his big day.

"But there is nothing. Nothing, and nothing is foreshadowed. Where is this much-vaunted, eagerly anticipated simplified or generic benefit? Where?

"The truth is that there is no `wonder benefit'. It has all been nothing more than a diversionary myth, a tactic, and Mr Maharey should be held to account for his greatest deception," Dr Newman said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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