While Bridges wouldn't speak directly to the policies being considered, it's understood they include fines of up to $3000 for parents of children who leave high school and don't enter further education and training.... it's a preposterous policy.
If a 16 year-old wants to leave school and get a job what's that got to do with the government?
If the idea is about not having to support them with welfare payments, then stop the payments.
Plenty of people leave school with no further 'formal' education and do OK for themselves.
National risks the taint of authoritarianism when they come up with this kind of thinking. It makes it much harder for them to rightly criticize the current government for over-regulating and over-taxing.
And Bridges just handed an opportunity to Ardern to look like the more sensible of the two when she responds that "reducing barriers" is a better option than fines.
Overall National's approach to welfare, especially under Bill English, was much more visionary and far-thinking than Labour's but this is a stupid idea and it will probably become the soundbite and what sticks.
2 comments:
I do wonder - for example there was support for stopping payments for parents who don't vaccinate their children (yes, a good look letting the little ones starve for their parents choices). Maybe they think there is general support?
Post a Comment