Anglican Church Statement on Welfare Justice Group
The Rev'd Dr Anthony Dancer, Social Justice Commissioner for the Anglican Church

The Social Justice Commission of the Anglican Church is pleased to be one of the three groups behind this project.

The name of the group, Welfare Justice, really sums up what we are about.

Having followed the Welfare Working Group and attended it's forum, and having listened to speakers and those who attended that forum, we have grown increasingly concerned that the real needs and voices of some of societies most vulnerable need to be given adequate consideration in any reform of the welfare system.

The growing gap in this country between rich and poor is a real concern to us, especially as Maori continue to be over-represented in the poverty figures. Not enough at this time is being done to address this at a policy level.

Poverty is unnecessary. And yet poverty is all around us, as the relentless daily attrition of contending with the most primitive issues of human existence: food and cleanliness and clothes and heat and housing and rest. Poverty is an awful vulnerability which tears at the very fabric of our society. Welfare reform is one process that can help address that kind of vulnerability.

We believe people and the welfare of people really matter. And we believe in a society where that concern is the norm. Work is important, and paid work has been shown to be one of the most significant ways of lifting people out of poverty and having the potential to close the gap between rich and poor. However, we do not define a person's worth and esteem by their ability to work in paid employment and we need a welfare system that acknowledges that and protects the well being of societies most vulnerable, strengthening whanau and protecting mokopuna in the process.

We are not opposed to welfare reform, but believe we need to use review as a means of improving society for all. Any reform of social security needs to be for the betterment of the whole country, and the voice of this country is not simply made up of those who are in paid employment, or who live in the right part of the country.

We need a fairer society for all built on a strong economic and ethical basis that includes the voice of the everyone. In other words, we need a reform process that doesn't turn a deaf ear top the very voices from whom welfare relieves the vulnerability of poverty.

As an alternative to the Welfare Working Group we are starting with the same mandate as the ministerial group, but are aware that our discussion cannot be limited by that. We see our work as enhancing that of the ministerial group, and our primary objective is to be able to contribute to the development of review of a welfare system that strengthens society through whanau and protects our mokopuna. We want a welfare system in this country that is just and fair, and nourishes a society in which everyone belongs.

ENDS

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