Green Party media comment on National benefit changes

“Benefit fraud is not the biggest issue facing New Zealand’s welfare system. Paula Bennett is simply using beneficiaries as a scapegoat,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei

“Benefit fraud debts as a percentage of the total level of MSD Crown expenditure on income support equates to around 1/10th of one percent, and the number of cases of benefit fraud have been declining.

“Child poverty is the most pressing issue that Paula Bennett should be dealing with after the election.

“The Green Party has a plan to bring 100,000 children out of poverty by 2014.

“We would Make Working for Families work for every low-income family, provide better study support for sole parents and beneficiaries, raise the minimum wage to help working parents, and make sure rental properties are warm and healthy for kids,” Mrs Turei said.

Read more about the Green Party’s plan here www.greens.org.nz/endchildpoverty