Pōneke Action Against Poverty to protest the National Government

On Saturday the 28th at 7pm, the recently-formed Pōneke Action Against Poverty will be protesting the National Government’s widening of the gap between rich and poor in Aotearoa. This will be outside the National Museum, Te Papa, while the National Party will be imbibing in a cocktail night followed by dinner inside.

“We’re asking who the real bloodsuckers are in this country,” says PAAP spokesperson Kassie Hartendorp.

“While the Government has been lauding a drop in the number of people receiving the benefit, real unemployment has stayed the same. Instead of lifting people out of poverty, this Government has been refusing to support those who need help.”

While previously refusing to acknowledge the reality of being poor in Aotearoa, in May of 2013 Finance Minister Bill English declared “We don’t believe there is a solution to poverty in general.”

At the same time this Government is supporting the wealthy to become richer. From tax cuts in 2010 to asset sales and the ongoing expansion of mining, drilling, and fracking, this government is supporting big business while ignoring those who need help.

Pōneke Action Against Poverty wants to see a Government working to support the most vulnerable in our society.

Kassie Hartendorp says “We want to see a rise in the benefit (for the first time in decades), and the introduction of a decent Living Wage which is tied to the average wage in this country.”

ENDS

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