The welfare system was set up with the best of intentions but while it helps some it also traps others.
Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett knows what can be done to change it and why it’s necessary to do it:
The welfare system has not been working as it could. It has allowed too many to become trapped in an intergenerational cycle of dependence.
There are more than 317,000 people on welfare right now. Add to that the 220,000 children living in welfare dependent homes and there are more than half a million New Zealanders reliant on welfare in any given week
This Government is transforming the welfare system into one that is modern, active and responsible because currently it is passive, out of date and quite frankly it is failing us . . .
She then asks why not leave the economy to fix things as Labour and the Green Party want to:
We could leave it as it is, sure. And yes the Unemployment Benefit would decrease significantly as the economy bounces back.
But that would mean ignoring the other 270,000 people on welfare. That would mean wiping them off as not worthy of support into work and independence of the State.
And I will not do that.
I understand completely how frightening change can be. I get how debilitated and worthless some feel on welfare.
And the left would say that’s a strong enough reason to leave well enough alone, to feel sympathy for those on welfare.
They would pat them on the head and feel sorry for them. How condescending, how patronising and how meaningless.
I will not do that.
I understand how frightening change can be and I acknowledge that up-skilling, gaining confidence and getting a job is not easy.
But as Minister of Social Development I will continue to push, cajole, incentivise, obligate and at the end of the day put all my belief in those people on welfare.
And I will take some of the anger that comes from those most unsure and often frightened because to ignore the benefits of work, to only look at what they can’t do instead of what they can do, was a failure of the previous Labour Government, a failure I will not allow to continue.
Long overdue change is on its way and this is the first stage of this second term Government’s welfare reforms.
Change is necessary for those on benefits and those who pay for them.
This is not to punish anyone but to help those who can work to work, to give them new skills and the opportunity for a far better life than they could have if they remained trapped on welfare.
Homepaddock 