Maharey Claims Success Where There Is None
Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey's claims today, that Labour has helped more sole parents into
work, are simply misleading, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today.
"When elected to Government in 1999, Labour inherited falling DPB numbers. But by making ill-advised changes -
including scrapping work testing, removing the stand-down period and extending benefit eligibility until the youngest
child is 18 - this Government has caused that downward trend to plateau.
"As a result, there are now more people on the DPB than there were in April 2002.
"The new scheme that Labour is so proud of is at odds with successful programmes that have been seen to work elsewhere.
"Once again, the Minister is claiming success for his soft-on-welfare Government where there is none," Dr Newman said.
ENDS