January 27, 2005
United Future's Brain-Child A Dud
Rajen Prasad, Chief Commissioner of the Families Commission, yesterday attacked Don Brash's Orewa speech with an
ill-informed defence of the domestic purposes benefit, according to Lindsay Mitchell, petitioner for a Parliamentary
review of the DPB.
"Rajen Prasad says that 'more than 40 percent of domestic purposes beneficiaries already work part-time.' In fact, data
from the Ministry of Social Development last year showed that only 24 percent of DPB recipients with dependent children
worked part-time. Prasad must be referring to current earnings declarations which do not relate directly to current work
status."
"He then says, 'support is often necessary for short periods to ensure families can function well and children are
properly cared for.' This ignores that 45 percent of DPB recipients have been on a benefit continuously for four years
or more - the sort of long-term dependency Brash is worried about."
"The Families Commission is the brain-child of the United Future Party, whose 2002 election manifesto contained the
following;
PROBLEM; In 1975 we had 17,000 people on the DPB. We now have over 110,000. Direct costs, at present are $1.4 billion
and are expected to rise to $1.6 billion within three years. Children from welfare dependent homes are more likely to
have poor health, difficulties with learning, dysfunctional social relationships and criminal convictions.
"By promoting the DPB the Families Commission will only add to this problem. What a bitter disappointment they must be
to United Future."
Lindsay Mitchell petitioner for a Parliamentary review of the DPB forms available from www.liberalvalues.org.nz contact
dandl.mitchell@clear.net.nz
ENDS