"Welfare is not a lifestyle choice."

I had better make good on my promise to debunk myths surrounding the welfare state.

"I do not support the view that the DPB is a lifestyle choice." Steve Maharey, Minister for Social Developemnt and Employment, 2001.

Over the past few years questions I've put to the Ministry of Social Development under the OIA have revealed some interesting facts;


(21/7/05) 37,631 single parents currently on a benefit started on welfare before they reached twenty. Of those, 5.5 percent began on the DPB. Most began on the dole.

(12/7/04) 36,986 single parents on welfare have school-age children only.

(2/10/03) In the year ending 2002 4,860 newborn babies were added to a benefit that had been in place ten months or more.


Some people are using welfare as last-resort, temporary assistance.

Other people are demonstrably abusing it. Unfortunately they form a majority.