The Child Poverty Action Group has won the right to challenge the government through the Human Rights Tribunal. They want beneficiaries with children to be eligible for the $60 per week In-Work payment. Here is Tariana Turia egging them on. Around 70,000 of these children will be Maori.
I'll briefly reiterate my argument. If the CPAG win, essentially we will see an increase in benefit levels. An increase in benefit levels leads to an increase in the number of people going on or staying on benefits. CPAG want a short term gain and refuse to see the long term cost which cannot be in the best interests of children.
There is no guarantee the money reaches the children anyway.
And, most obviously, the incentive effect of the In-Work payment will be nullified if it is extended to non-working families.
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It makes me cross to think that some beneficiaries think they deserve a payment meant to encourage people to do paid work.
It is examples like this that make me thankful that there are enough people with responsible attitudes around to stop the whole boat from sinking under the weight of non-contributing people. (yes - I know how harsh that sounds).
This definatly does sound like one step forward two steps backwards. But then, that's pretty much how our whole system works atm so it's not really all that surprising.
They probably want to give in, but are making a show of reluctance to appease the workers that get this bribe money.
If it'll buy votes, they'll do it.
what this will in efect mean is that people will get more on the dole because they have kids - butthe money is not given to them because they have kids or becausethey are working. It will be because the Govt is buckling.
Surely it would be a lot better to just increase family support by $60.00 a week and not call this the in work payment.
Otherwise the Govt wil leave it as is. In any case most people on the dole, sickness or invalids benefit dont have kids so it wont do much to the unemployment rate if an extra $60.00 is added
Thinking about why this might be...
I wonder if the government can usethe 'in work' statistics to say that there are more people working?
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