Media Release

Contemplating Pregnancy on a Benefit
Monday, June 19, 2006

The New Zealand Medical Association deputy chairman, Don Simmers, today said that too many women are contemplating pregnancy on a benefit.

Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell supports this statement. "Statistics show that thousands of babies are born onto benefits each year. At July last year 26,126 children had been added to a current benefit."

"This isn't just a matter of contraception failure. Anecdotal evidence says many of these babies have been planned. It is encouraging to hear Dr Simmers confirming this. With contraception highly accessible there can be no other explanation for this high rate of child-bearing on a benefit."

"Too many women with tobacco, alcohol and drug habits which lead to benefit dependency are busy planning their next meal ticket. It is a crazy welfare system that encourages this by paying more cash with each child produced."

ENDS

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