February 20, 2013
Māori Party dismayed at beneficiary crackdown
The Māori Party says National's latest move on welfare fraud is punitive and unhelpful.
Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows has announced a crack down on the partners of benefit cheats, including fines and potential prison sentences.
Māori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says she does not condone people misrepresenting their relationship status to continue getting income support, but it is not a one size fits all problem.
She says the government needs to find policies that lift people out of poverty and off the benefit, not punish them for their circumstances when they stoop to criminal activity to put food on the table for their families.
Mrs Turia says there is a double standard in operation, with the partners of failed finance company directors or white criminals being allowed the keep the benefits of their relationship.
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