Su’a William Sio
MP for Mangere

21 June 2009 Media Statement

Key’s attacks ignore realities facing households

John Key’s attacks on Labour’s proposal to provide more support to laid-off workers during the recession by suspending income testing of their spouses income is shocking, says Mangere MP Su’a William Sio.

“The median income in the Manukau region is about $20,000, and as long as you have two incomes, most families have been able to manage with Working For Families support.

“We are now seeing families where one spouse has lost their job and although the other spouse continues to work, they are struggling to manage their regular living expenses.

“These workers aren’t millionaires. These families aren’t earning $150,000.

“Many of these families are only now going to Work and Income for the very first time. They have been paying their taxes all their working lives in the hope they would never need to go on the dole, but now that they are forced to as a result of the recession, they just feel they are getting a bad deal,” said Su’a William Sio.

“My electorate office in Mangere has noticed an increase in enquires from constituents unable to keep up payments of rent or mortgages due to losing one income in their household.

“Some constituents have been in tears when they go to the local Work and Income office after being laid off and find out that they are only eligible to receive $5 or $9 assistance because their partner or spouse is still working,” said Su’a William Sio.

“John Key needs to step up as Prime Minister and come up with a concrete idea to arrest the rising unemployment that is predicted to reach 180,000 early next year. I think most ordinary families will be dismayed at his lack of empathy and unwillingness to even consider Labour’s proposals.

“He snuffed out the idea with so much disdain for Phil Goff he didn’t even look twice to see how many families are now locked in a daily struggle to survive as a result of losing an income.”

ENDS

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