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Welfare Minister Paula Bennett - Source: ONE News -
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The Government's making no apologies for revealing the welfare payments of two solo mums.
Natasha Fuller, who is taking home $715 a week and Jennifer Johnston, who gets $554, have both have been complaining about their tertiary training allowances being axed.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says they've chosen to go public with their plight but haven't been telling the full story.
Bennett says she wants them to back themselves a bit and use some of their own money if they want to study.
However, Bennet is being accused of being over the top in responding to criticism of cuts to training allowances.
Labour leader Phil Goff says those who criticise should expect scrutiny, but he believes the Government's actions are excessive.
"You don't expect to see the full weight of the state, and use of Government departments, to breach people's privacy in such a way," says Goff.
Goff says ministers must take care, when exercising their responsibilities, not to embarrass and suppress critics.
Now, Labour is laying down the gauntlet to Bennett by challenging her to reveal what benefits she received before she became an MP.
Labour Social Development spokeswoman Annette King says Bennett was on the DPB herself off and on for five years and also received training allowances.
King says the Bennett's gone too far in releasing every aspect
of the two beneficiaries welfare incomes.
Do you think Paula Bennett has gone too far in revealing
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentMerca said on 2009-08-19 @ 21:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think you are wrong, allot of women on the DPB want to get into work, and yes it's a shame that the TIA is cut to help them out.
Merca said on 2009-08-19 @ 21:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
You would find that most people would of been financially stable before they broke up. I have never meet a DPB receiver that decides to have kids when they are not financially stable. You should try to stop assuming things and accidents do happen too, after all we are all human are we not?
ManuJ said on 2009-08-17 @ 22:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think the majority of people believe that the DPB is a carrer choice and milk the system for all its worth without any thought of a career. Many actually lose their ambitions to create an independant future for themselves and have more babies while receiving the DPB. The govt should put a clause into the policy for those who want the Training Allowance. Agree to pay all the expenses and if the applicant agrees to this, they forefit their right to the DPB in the future.
santa0007 said on 2009-08-17 @ 17:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
Privacy is not possible in New Zealand,The current MP,s are not qualified to even view any info relating to any subject unless they are "qualified",we all vote for.......strangers based on how well they look/dance/rich/poor but not on there qualifications. There CV and position dictates authority and expectations of many things but postulation of harm to others by an MP is not correct behaviour.How many people have been turned away from a food parcel or access to water & housing.
tofel1 said on 2009-08-01 @ 11:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
It is unfair for people who is working to pay for other people's mistake. I am working hard and do extra hours to save money for my child's expense. If these solo mother can't pay for their living and the children's living costs, they should not have children at the first place. It is unfair the the children and tax payers. They are the parasites in the society.