AUCKLAND ACTION AGAINST POVERTY
Media release Tuesday 15 May 2012
New board the next step in Nationals’ war on the poor
‘The war on the poor has just been stepped up another notch with the appointment of a business focused board to do the
job that Paula Bennett should be doing,’ says Sue Bradford, a spokesperson for Auckland Action Against Poverty.
‘The Minister of Social Development is supposed to be in charge of her department, not a random bunch of people pulled
from the corporate world with little understanding of the issues faced by people on benefits, and with little sympathy
for vulnerable people when the system fails them.
‘The creation of a new business oriented Board to oversee Work & Income proves National is determined to forge ahead with welfare changes which are far more fundamental – and far more
dangerous - than many realise.
‘The new board’s mandate to ‘oversee the investment approach to welfare’ indicates a consolidation of the Government’s
corporatist approach.
‘The board is to be lead by Paula Rebstock, formerly Chair of the Commerce Commission, and later Chair of the Welfare
Working Group which developed the reform proposals currently being implemented.
‘Alongside her will be four others from a business background, plus Professor Kathryn McPherson, also from the Welfare
Working Group.
‘The new actuarial approach is a complete break from the philosophy and practice of welfare which has been in place in
New Zealand since the 1930s.
‘This radical reform is taking place at a time when government economic policies are failing badly, unemployment is
rising and the world is facing a very uncertain economic future.
‘This is the worst possible moment for the Government to be launching into a model of welfare that is based on ignorance
and prejudice rather than well researched and objective policies based on facts and compassion.
‘Auckland Action Against Poverty will continue to work with other community, church and union organisations to expose
and oppose the dangers of the Key/Bennett welfare agenda, and to call for solutions which build people up rather than
reduce them to deeper poverty and social exclusion.
ends