Media Release
Monday, November 30, 2009
2025 Productivity Report Makes Crucial Recommendations
Crucial recommendations about the reform of working age welfare contained in the 2025 Taskforce Report must not be
ignored, according to welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell.
"The report says that far too many fit and able New Zealanders are receiving their income from the state, " said Mrs
Mitchell. "This reduces New Zealand's productivity through loss of participation and contribution."
"The authors have specifically recommended that the domestic purposes benefit have a 'absolute cut-off period' of 5
years. It observes that in many households parents work when their children are quite young, even when they may not want
to. It finds no reason why those supported by the taxpayer should be treated more generously."
"It goes on to detail the disproportionate growth in invalid and sickness beneficiaries and urges serious efforts to get
people off these benefits and into jobs wherever this can be realistically and compassionately achieved. Interestingly
the report does not mention reform of the unemployment benefit. That may be because the authors recognise that sickness
and invalid benefits have become, to some extent, de facto dole payments."
"The report's welfare recommendations are not out of line with what National campaigned on but have yet to deliver. The
recommendations are not particularly radical and should be welcomed by all New Zealanders as the very minimum required
to lift productivity and living standards to Australian levels by 2025."
ENDS