Friday, June 23, 2006

A way forward

A commentor asked, given the DPB is so entrenched, how do we get rid of it?

Within the context of a government provided welfare system, go back the way we came. First make it strictly temporary. One year maximum for newcomers. That would act as a fairly effective deterrent - a major priority.

For those already on it, eligibility remains until their current youngest is 6 or one year from the time of change - whichever is longer.

The government could set up a voluntary contributory insurance scheme which gives cover for relationship breakdown where there are dependent children. This would provide extra cover. As with ACC a non-Labour government would privatise such a scheme.
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"The government could set up a voluntary contributory insurance scheme which gives cover for relationship breakdown where there are dependent children. This would provide extra cover. As with ACC a non-Labour government would privatise such a scheme."

Who starts off in a relationship assuming it will go awry? I'm not sure such a insurance product will be taken up at the rate it is required, leaving a predictable amount of single parents with children in need of emergency assistance...

7:31 PM
Lindsay Mitchell said...

Belt, there would still be one year's emergency assistance available.

Since the legislation that "married" everybody after 3 years came into being, people are far more of a mind to protect their futures. If an insurance scheme allowed people to opt out of the stipulations of the Child Support Act it might also find favour.

But I've never seen getting bogged down in the details as the best use of my time while the public still aren't persuaded of the need to change. That has to happen first.

8:28 PM

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