'Social Report' Glosses Over The Hard Facts

Monday 23 Aug 2004
Dr Muriel Newman
Press Releases -- Social Welfare

ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today questioned why the Government failed to mention facts like there being only two full-time workers for every adult dependent on the State in its `Social Report 2004'.

"Data I have compiled on the state of the health of our country has revealed that, as of June 2004, more than 900,000 New Zealand adults were supported by State incomes," Dr Newman said.

"Meanwhile, there are only 1.6 million full-time workers throughout the country.

"It is also interesting to note that Labour's `Social Report 2004' mentions nothing of this - preferring instead to to focus on such issues as how often couples invite guests to their homes for dinner.

"In fact, this report does not even provide an accurate description of New Zealand society - how can it, when most of the data it contains is drawn from statistics that only extend to 2001?

"How is New Zealand supposed to move ahead as a country, when our Government cannot even acknowledge the problems? The `Social Report' is just another example of Labour's feel good PR machine masquerading as proper research.

"New Zealand is a country that is failing to reach its potential under a growing rate of State dependency. Until the Government faces up to this and focus on overcoming it - instead of glossing over it - New Zealand will continue to wallow in mediocrity," 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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