Because the NZ Living Standards 2004 report showed more beneficiaries were experiencing hardship many groups are once again calling for higher payments. Benson-Pope says that changes after 2004 have already done that.
What caught my eye was Pita Sharple's comment which illustrates the 'rock and a hard place' the Maori Party have got themselves into with their 'welfare policy'.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said while he did not like benefits because they entrenched dependency, people receiving them needed to be paid a realistic income.
He called on central and local government agencies and large companies to address the real problem, which he said was despondent communities with no jobs caught in a cycle of hopelessness.
BUT increasing benefit rates entrenches dependency. There has to be a significant advantage in working or some people simply will not.
And the second part of his comment is not much use either. We had the 'jobs jolt' policy which was supposed to stop people moving to these 'despondent communities with no jobs'. The major failure of that policy was it didn't include people on the DPB. If a parent can get a benefit then someone else can tag along. And we still have the populations of these communities being artificially sustained by procreation on a benefit.
How low does unemployment have to go before we admit that it is no longer responsible for the cycle of hopelessness? There are plenty of employers crying out for workers but welfare has made, and continues to make potentially productive people unreliable and unemployable.
Update; Just watched Tariana on Breakfast TV. She said the Maori Party doesn't like the welfare system but there will always be people on benefits so we need to look after them properly (read pay them more). It's a bit like Sue Kedgely saying the Greens don't like soft drinks but we should make the cans bigger so people don't go thirsty.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Drugs in prisons
My own feeling is drugs are tacitly okayed or turned-a-blind-eye to in prison. It must be easier to handle prisoners who are 'satisfied' for want of a better word. This table is a response to a question from Simon Power published today;
For perspective there are around 7,000 inmates at any given time. What stands out is the huge increase, forty five percent, between 2003 and 2005. Inside and out, drugs are becoming more pervasive. I believe they are also one reason for more beneficiaries experiencing severe hardship. Only my opinion though, I hasten to add.
For perspective there are around 7,000 inmates at any given time. What stands out is the huge increase, forty five percent, between 2003 and 2005. Inside and out, drugs are becoming more pervasive. I believe they are also one reason for more beneficiaries experiencing severe hardship. Only my opinion though, I hasten to add.
From my archives
Oswald has reminded me about my DPB campaign and I took a moment to reflect on its beginnings. Back in 2001 a local newspaper ran a story about my petition which kicked off a storm of letter-writing that ran about 50/50 for/against. Eventually the editor had to close the debate.
One letter was from an indignant woman who believed it was entirely her right to have raised her children on the DPB and for them to be in turn raising their's on the DPB. Oswald will appreciate this response, headed up, DPB? Let me introduce myself...
One letter was from an indignant woman who believed it was entirely her right to have raised her children on the DPB and for them to be in turn raising their's on the DPB. Oswald will appreciate this response, headed up, DPB? Let me introduce myself...
Jeremy Clarkson on the US
From the Times-on-line this is very funny;
I know Britain is full of incompetent water board officials and stabbed Glaswegians but even so I fell on my knees this morning and kissed the ground, because I’ve just spent three weeks trying to work in America.
It’s known as the land of the free and I’m sure it is if you get up in the morning, go to work in a petrol station, eat nothing but double-egg burgers — with cheese — and take your children to little league. But if you step outside the loop, if you try to do something a bit zany, you will find that you’re in a police state.
(Cont)
I know Britain is full of incompetent water board officials and stabbed Glaswegians but even so I fell on my knees this morning and kissed the ground, because I’ve just spent three weeks trying to work in America.
It’s known as the land of the free and I’m sure it is if you get up in the morning, go to work in a petrol station, eat nothing but double-egg burgers — with cheese — and take your children to little league. But if you step outside the loop, if you try to do something a bit zany, you will find that you’re in a police state.
(Cont)
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Budgeting tips
On the back of the Living Standards report showing it's not just about income, Big News has some tips for beneficiary budgeting. From working with people on benefits I can add some I would never otherwise have known about;
- Don't take out APs on Clothes Trucks. This is an insidious practice by companies who visit low income people with their trucks (which sell more than just clothes). They appeal to people's instant gratification impulse. The purchaser authorises an automatic payment so they can purchase but when the item is paid off the AP continues. If the customer attempts to get the money back in cash they are told no, you can only use your credit on the truck. At which point the company may throw in a sweetener of a bit of extra credit. But the goods are well over-priced. The APs tend to just turn over.
- Resist offers to up your bankcard credit limit.
- Don't think having WINZ pay you a small weekly amount for a cellphone is better than having a landline. You can be contacted but will quickly use up your outgoing allowance. Looking for jobs is virtually impossible if you can't make outgoing phonecalls. In fact, your everyday life is extremely restricted. Better to pay your phonebill in the first place.
- Don't hoard advertising throw-aways "just in case you miss a bargain". If you haven't thought about it first you don't need it.
- for females, use contraceptive injections which stop you menstruating. Saves you know where.
- for males, use condoms. They are much cheaper than child support payments, even at the beneficiary level of about $12 a week. Over the life of a child you will spend $11,232. What's a packet of condoms worth?
- Don't take out APs on Clothes Trucks. This is an insidious practice by companies who visit low income people with their trucks (which sell more than just clothes). They appeal to people's instant gratification impulse. The purchaser authorises an automatic payment so they can purchase but when the item is paid off the AP continues. If the customer attempts to get the money back in cash they are told no, you can only use your credit on the truck. At which point the company may throw in a sweetener of a bit of extra credit. But the goods are well over-priced. The APs tend to just turn over.
- Resist offers to up your bankcard credit limit.
- Don't think having WINZ pay you a small weekly amount for a cellphone is better than having a landline. You can be contacted but will quickly use up your outgoing allowance. Looking for jobs is virtually impossible if you can't make outgoing phonecalls. In fact, your everyday life is extremely restricted. Better to pay your phonebill in the first place.
- Don't hoard advertising throw-aways "just in case you miss a bargain". If you haven't thought about it first you don't need it.
- for females, use contraceptive injections which stop you menstruating. Saves you know where.
- for males, use condoms. They are much cheaper than child support payments, even at the beneficiary level of about $12 a week. Over the life of a child you will spend $11,232. What's a packet of condoms worth?
Living standards
Media release
LIVING STANDARDS ABOUT MORE THAN INCOME
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
According to the latest Ministry of Social Development New Zealand Living Standards 2004 report the majority of sole-parent families are reliant on benefits.
Welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell, calculates that between 64 and 69 percent of sole-parent families currently rely on benefits. In 2004 the MSD put the figure at 62 percent.
The report says sole-parent families are three times more likely to be experiencing 'severe hardship' than two-parent families.
"But it is interesting to note what constraints are reported by parents categorised as suffering 'severe hardship', " said Mitchell. "Thirty seven percent of children didn't have or participate in play station or x-box. One assumes then that 63 percent did have access to or own these electronic devices. Yet in the same 'severe hardship' category parents reported not buying books, being unable to afford school outings or postponing children's doctors and dentist visits."
While 32 percent of sole-parent beneficiaries are in the 'severe hardship' category 29 percent reported 'fairly comfortable, comfortable or good'living standards.
The wide variation amongst living standards cannot be explained by variation of income given these families would have similar entitlements.
The problems associated with being in 'severe hardship' would appear to have more to do with how money is spent than the level of income received.
The implications of this have once again been ignored by the Child Poverty Action Group, Green Party and Maori Party who continue to call for increased benefit payments into these homes. That is not the answer.
Only 6 percent of sole-parent families with market income were experiencing 'severe hardship' while 54 percent had 'fairly comfortable' or better living standards. The improvement of living standards for sole-parents lies with paid work and better priorities.
LIVING STANDARDS ABOUT MORE THAN INCOME
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
According to the latest Ministry of Social Development New Zealand Living Standards 2004 report the majority of sole-parent families are reliant on benefits.
Welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell, calculates that between 64 and 69 percent of sole-parent families currently rely on benefits. In 2004 the MSD put the figure at 62 percent.
The report says sole-parent families are three times more likely to be experiencing 'severe hardship' than two-parent families.
"But it is interesting to note what constraints are reported by parents categorised as suffering 'severe hardship', " said Mitchell. "Thirty seven percent of children didn't have or participate in play station or x-box. One assumes then that 63 percent did have access to or own these electronic devices. Yet in the same 'severe hardship' category parents reported not buying books, being unable to afford school outings or postponing children's doctors and dentist visits."
While 32 percent of sole-parent beneficiaries are in the 'severe hardship' category 29 percent reported 'fairly comfortable, comfortable or good'living standards.
The wide variation amongst living standards cannot be explained by variation of income given these families would have similar entitlements.
The problems associated with being in 'severe hardship' would appear to have more to do with how money is spent than the level of income received.
The implications of this have once again been ignored by the Child Poverty Action Group, Green Party and Maori Party who continue to call for increased benefit payments into these homes. That is not the answer.
Only 6 percent of sole-parent families with market income were experiencing 'severe hardship' while 54 percent had 'fairly comfortable' or better living standards. The improvement of living standards for sole-parents lies with paid work and better priorities.
Tell us something we don't know
"This is such a useful piece of paper we should cut it into strips and put it in the gents". So said Tim Dower, NewstalkZB host. "How much did this 'research' cost me?"
He was referring to a press release from the Ministry of Social Development which contains the following earth-shattering news;
“The report shows that a number of key factors contribute to living standards,” Deputy Chief Executive of Social Development Policy and Knowledge, Marcel Lauzière, said.
“While income can certainly help improve our living standards, this research demonstrates the importance of sustained employment, higher levels of education, home ownership and other assets".
“People tend to have lower living standards if they have experienced events such as multiple marriage break-ups, financial or employment shocks, or serious health issues."
“These factors seem to have a cumulative effect. People with up to seven life shocks have a similar average living standard to those with no life shocks. Eight seems to be the turning point, leading to substantially lower average living standards and a high likelihood of hardship,” Marcel Lauzière, said.
He was referring to a press release from the Ministry of Social Development which contains the following earth-shattering news;
“The report shows that a number of key factors contribute to living standards,” Deputy Chief Executive of Social Development Policy and Knowledge, Marcel Lauzière, said.
“While income can certainly help improve our living standards, this research demonstrates the importance of sustained employment, higher levels of education, home ownership and other assets".
“People tend to have lower living standards if they have experienced events such as multiple marriage break-ups, financial or employment shocks, or serious health issues."
“These factors seem to have a cumulative effect. People with up to seven life shocks have a similar average living standard to those with no life shocks. Eight seems to be the turning point, leading to substantially lower average living standards and a high likelihood of hardship,” Marcel Lauzière, said.
Quote of the day
From Karl du Fresne's DomPost column today, "Ninety and still a nanny."
"Still, Labour has one huge advantage over National; We have a vague idea of what it stands for even if we may not like it."
(To be fair, I see that currently 54 percent of respondents to a Stuff poll think they know what National stands for)
"Still, Labour has one huge advantage over National; We have a vague idea of what it stands for even if we may not like it."
(To be fair, I see that currently 54 percent of respondents to a Stuff poll think they know what National stands for)
Plan to stop drug addicts from having children
This is from Scotland where Labour has mooted a plan to prevent drug addicts from having children.
The proposals, drawn up by Labour MSP Duncan McNeil, would require addicts to sign a "social contract", under which they would only get benefits and methadone if they agreed not to have children while addicted to drugs.
While not as extreme as Mr McNeil's last proposal - that contraceptives should be added to methadone - these latest plans do represent an extension of the state's influence into personal liberty.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Drugs Forum, which brings together a range of different bodies working with drugs policy and information, said the plans were "dehumanising".
She said it was wrong for the state to tell anyone not to have children and worse to single out drug users for attack.
Before you react remember these people are living off their fellow citizens, many of whom would never consent to supporting their actions. What about their liberty and choices?
The state can't tell people not to have children. I agree. But it can say that it will not pay them to. It amazes me that Mr McNeil's plan would be seen as radical. Good god. It is far more extreme to be handing methadone over to women on a daily basis while encouraging them to have more children with extra benefits. And yes. We do it here too.
(Also running a comments thread about a father who blames social networking websites for his teenage daughter's promiscuity.)
The proposals, drawn up by Labour MSP Duncan McNeil, would require addicts to sign a "social contract", under which they would only get benefits and methadone if they agreed not to have children while addicted to drugs.
While not as extreme as Mr McNeil's last proposal - that contraceptives should be added to methadone - these latest plans do represent an extension of the state's influence into personal liberty.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Drugs Forum, which brings together a range of different bodies working with drugs policy and information, said the plans were "dehumanising".
She said it was wrong for the state to tell anyone not to have children and worse to single out drug users for attack.
Before you react remember these people are living off their fellow citizens, many of whom would never consent to supporting their actions. What about their liberty and choices?
The state can't tell people not to have children. I agree. But it can say that it will not pay them to. It amazes me that Mr McNeil's plan would be seen as radical. Good god. It is far more extreme to be handing methadone over to women on a daily basis while encouraging them to have more children with extra benefits. And yes. We do it here too.
(Also running a comments thread about a father who blames social networking websites for his teenage daughter's promiscuity.)
Suspended or stood down for assault
Stuff has a story about the growing number of students who are physically assaulting other pupils and school teachers - 7,200 in 2005 up from 6,500 the previous year.
New Zealand Primary Principals' Federation Pat Newman said schools were concerned that children were showing severe behaviour problems at younger ages.
"What alarms us most is the small percentage of young children who are showing extreme levels of violence rather than low-level abuse such as hitting or throwing," he said.
"We know what is needed. It is not rocket science. It's just there are more dysfunctional children in society not being cared for by their own families," he said.
Here are some earlier figures;
2000 3233
2001 3320
2002 3294
2003 3872
The breakdown between assaults on other pupils and assaults on staff shows overwhelmingly it is other pupils bearing the brunt. In 2003 only 7 percent of the assaults were on staff. 18 percent of the total cases were at Primary.
A conversation with somebody who works in a nearby decile 2 community revealed that many kids are now stood down and simply stay home, despite a legal requirement to be attending school. The police know they are about and try to keep an eye on them.
According to Pat Newman the answer is, "If we are to help these violent children while keeping others safe, we need to have the money to employ people to look after them while they get help."
New Zealand Primary Principals' Federation Pat Newman said schools were concerned that children were showing severe behaviour problems at younger ages.
"What alarms us most is the small percentage of young children who are showing extreme levels of violence rather than low-level abuse such as hitting or throwing," he said.
"We know what is needed. It is not rocket science. It's just there are more dysfunctional children in society not being cared for by their own families," he said.
Here are some earlier figures;
2000 3233
2001 3320
2002 3294
2003 3872
The breakdown between assaults on other pupils and assaults on staff shows overwhelmingly it is other pupils bearing the brunt. In 2003 only 7 percent of the assaults were on staff. 18 percent of the total cases were at Primary.
A conversation with somebody who works in a nearby decile 2 community revealed that many kids are now stood down and simply stay home, despite a legal requirement to be attending school. The police know they are about and try to keep an eye on them.
According to Pat Newman the answer is, "If we are to help these violent children while keeping others safe, we need to have the money to employ people to look after them while they get help."
Monday, July 10, 2006
Breastfeeding zealots outraged
Advertising infant formula is banned under the Code on Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, but companies are expected to be self-regulating. However Nutricia has breached that and even stated a baby can be fed formula from birth - for some there is no alternative - and that a baby can be breastfed and bottlefed simultaneously. Wow. Outlandish. So now the Women's Health Action group want requirements of the Code made compulsory.
We are all idiots are we not, unable to make up our own minds about the needs of our children.
We are all idiots are we not, unable to make up our own minds about the needs of our children.
Historical comparison
I promised to blog some comparative statistics regarding child abuse and neglect between now and thirty years ago. The closest data I have to hand is from 1971.
In that year 17,744 cases concerning the welfare of children were handled by social workers. The NZ Yearbook says, "Cases may be referred by neighbours, police, teachers, employers, doctors, solicitors, etc., or by parents themselves who are seeking advice and guidance."
The population aged 14 or under was 857,000. Cases represented 2 percent of the relevant population.
In 2005 there were 53,097 notifications to CYF. The 14 and under population was 877,000. Cases represented 6 percent of that number.
In 2006/07 notifications are predicted to reach 8 percent.
Obviously many qualifications could be made to this data. For instance not all referrals go to CYF. They may be made to other social service agencies. Today, people may be more forthcoming about their suspicions. Then again there may be more distrust of government agencies than thirty-odd years ago. Cases may represent more than one child or the same child within the one year period. These calculations are only for comparative purposes.
In that year 17,744 cases concerning the welfare of children were handled by social workers. The NZ Yearbook says, "Cases may be referred by neighbours, police, teachers, employers, doctors, solicitors, etc., or by parents themselves who are seeking advice and guidance."
The population aged 14 or under was 857,000. Cases represented 2 percent of the relevant population.
In 2005 there were 53,097 notifications to CYF. The 14 and under population was 877,000. Cases represented 6 percent of that number.
In 2006/07 notifications are predicted to reach 8 percent.
Obviously many qualifications could be made to this data. For instance not all referrals go to CYF. They may be made to other social service agencies. Today, people may be more forthcoming about their suspicions. Then again there may be more distrust of government agencies than thirty-odd years ago. Cases may represent more than one child or the same child within the one year period. These calculations are only for comparative purposes.
Bye Bye Penny Lane
Never a huge Beatles fan, I still find Penny Lane one of their most evocative songs. Now a cloud is descending over the street after which this very famous song was named.
According to the DomPost Penny Lane faces being wiped from the map because of associations with the slave trade. "Councillors in Liverpool are considering plans to rename all streets named after people linked to slavery...Penny Lane is thought to be named after 18th century slave ship owner James Penny."
A UK correspondent to NewstalkZB added that councillors are considering renaming it after a young black teenager who was killed in a race incident in Liverpool. His name was Anthony Walker.
I don't really get it. Expunge one reminder of an unpleasant aspect of local history to replace it with another.
According to the DomPost Penny Lane faces being wiped from the map because of associations with the slave trade. "Councillors in Liverpool are considering plans to rename all streets named after people linked to slavery...Penny Lane is thought to be named after 18th century slave ship owner James Penny."
A UK correspondent to NewstalkZB added that councillors are considering renaming it after a young black teenager who was killed in a race incident in Liverpool. His name was Anthony Walker.
I don't really get it. Expunge one reminder of an unpleasant aspect of local history to replace it with another.
Maori and gambling
Back to this most extraordinary little book, Maori Health. You may recall I blogged some of the pages about Maori and smoking which afforded a completely different viewpoint from these two authors, Peter Caccioppoli, Ngati Kahungunu, chairman of Kotahitanga Community Trust and GP and medical researcher, Rhys Cullen.
The following pages are preceded by an extensive critique of exisiting gambling research;
As before, if you are interested I will scan some more. They go on to suggest a better way to identify any gambling health problems and deal with them.
The following pages are preceded by an extensive critique of exisiting gambling research;
As before, if you are interested I will scan some more. They go on to suggest a better way to identify any gambling health problems and deal with them.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Personal note
A newcomer to this blog has described me as "cynical and obsessive" but nevertheless thinks I am "genuine".
I am all of these. Maybe I should apologise for having gotten into something of a funk over the past two weeks. When children are murdered I feel responsible.
This is the task I set myself five years ago, when Lillybing died. I would attack this practice of allowing people to use children as meal tickets and then giving not a damn for their wellbeing. When an extreme case like the Kahuis hits the headlines I feel like I am failing.
I have been accused of grandstanding. Believe me, I'd rather go away and paint or play piano or read all of the books I've bought or borrowed from the library. It's not ME I want any spotlight to go on. Its the utterly crass, destructive, insane laws that ensure things are going to get worse for some NZ kids.
That's all.
I am all of these. Maybe I should apologise for having gotten into something of a funk over the past two weeks. When children are murdered I feel responsible.
This is the task I set myself five years ago, when Lillybing died. I would attack this practice of allowing people to use children as meal tickets and then giving not a damn for their wellbeing. When an extreme case like the Kahuis hits the headlines I feel like I am failing.
I have been accused of grandstanding. Believe me, I'd rather go away and paint or play piano or read all of the books I've bought or borrowed from the library. It's not ME I want any spotlight to go on. Its the utterly crass, destructive, insane laws that ensure things are going to get worse for some NZ kids.
That's all.
Spanish Healthcare
From the Observer;
The Spanish Society of General Medicine is now calling for extra resources to deal with rising costs. Regional health authorities complain that providing drugs, health and social care for more than a million ageing Brits - and to a lesser extent, German and Dutch - is crippling, prompting the Spanish Health Minister, Elena Salgado, to demand an annual £40m from the UK government.
She says expats abuse the system by using health facilities without registering as residents. 'Many are relocating to Spain and receiving medical treatment for serious conditions more quickly and of a high standard unavailable to them on their own NHS but, as many of these are 'invisible' residents and have no appropriate medical cover, Spain is recouping only a fraction of the costs of treating them,' she told fellow ministers.
The UK transfers a monthly sum of €175 to Spain for every UK pensioner legally resident but three quarters of Brits, according to research by Spain's Health Ministry, have not applied for a residence card - out of ignorance, fear of taxation or a reluctance to sever ties with Britain.
Two thoughts; One, this problem is a further weakness of public healthcare provision and entitlement and two, does our government have this sort of arrangement with Australia and is it being abused? Anybody know?
The Spanish Society of General Medicine is now calling for extra resources to deal with rising costs. Regional health authorities complain that providing drugs, health and social care for more than a million ageing Brits - and to a lesser extent, German and Dutch - is crippling, prompting the Spanish Health Minister, Elena Salgado, to demand an annual £40m from the UK government.
She says expats abuse the system by using health facilities without registering as residents. 'Many are relocating to Spain and receiving medical treatment for serious conditions more quickly and of a high standard unavailable to them on their own NHS but, as many of these are 'invisible' residents and have no appropriate medical cover, Spain is recouping only a fraction of the costs of treating them,' she told fellow ministers.
The UK transfers a monthly sum of €175 to Spain for every UK pensioner legally resident but three quarters of Brits, according to research by Spain's Health Ministry, have not applied for a residence card - out of ignorance, fear of taxation or a reluctance to sever ties with Britain.
Two thoughts; One, this problem is a further weakness of public healthcare provision and entitlement and two, does our government have this sort of arrangement with Australia and is it being abused? Anybody know?
Lacking perspective
Hone Harawira's niece, Te Atakura Huata-Harawira, 19, who he thinks of "as a daughter", has been sentenced to two years and one month in prison for being the get-a-away driver in a bottlestore robbery. Harawira wants her to be given a second chance;
"All we wanted was to bring her home, just give her a chance of a new start. She's not a bad girl," Mr Harawira told Hawke's Bay Today outside the courtroom.
Fair enough. But this is the man who has sacked Maori women for smoking. They weren't being shown any leniency.
"All we wanted was to bring her home, just give her a chance of a new start. She's not a bad girl," Mr Harawira told Hawke's Bay Today outside the courtroom.
Fair enough. But this is the man who has sacked Maori women for smoking. They weren't being shown any leniency.
United Future say link between welfare and child abuse is a "nonsense"
Here's what United Future have to say about child abuse;
“Trying to link the receipt of benefits, directly with the tragedy of child abuse and the Kahui twins, as some sort of ‘cause and effect’ is a nonsense.
Direct 'cause and effect'? Maybe not. But link - definitely.
Earlier in the week I wrote this piece. Treating child abuse as inclusive of neglect of social and health needs, this is an attempt to put some scale on the problem and its link with welfare receipt.
HOW BIG IS THIS PROBLEM?
New Zealanders are anxious. How big is the problem of child maltreatment and neglect? How common is the environment the Kahui twins were taken home to? What role have benefits played in this and other tragedies?
While the Prime Minister has called for an investigation into beneficiary "clusters" much is already known about those welfare-dependent families that harbour at-risk babies. Looking for clusters is diversionary.
Notifications to CYF for child abuse and neglect are predicted to exceed 70,000 next year with 73 percent requiring further action.
Of around 550,000 New Zealand families with dependent children, one in five relies on welfare. Children from welfare homes are four times more likely to come to the attention of CYF. So how many children from welfare homes are at risk of abuse, neglect, poor health and/or development problems?
Shedding some light on the answer is an evaluation of the Early Start programme for families with young children. It found around 13 percent of Christchurch families were in need of family support services. According to the report, "These referral statistics provide an indicator of the level of need for services within the community..."
The report assesses a trial which took place from 2000-03. Clients were recruited by Plunket nurses. Of 4,523 families seen over a nineteen month period, 13 percent were deemed needy. Of those, 443 agreed to participate. These clients were then randomly assigned to either the Early Start programme or a control group.
The majority, sixty four percent, were single-parent families. Approximately 90 percent of the families were dependent on welfare.
On examination of the mother's childhood it was found over half had been raised in a single-parent family; over half had witnessed inter-parental violence and over 40 percent reported being the victim of physical or sexual abuse. The mean age of first ever pregnancy was 19, 80 percent of the pregnancies were unplanned and the majority of the mothers, 63 percent, smoked during the pregnancy. One in six used cannabis.
Participants were interviewed at the start and then 12, 24 and 36 month intervals. After one year 21 percent had dropped out of the Early Start programme; after two years 35 and at three years 40 percent. There were no particular factors contributing to the losses.
When the control group was compared to the group which had received services, the Early Start programme had delivered "small but consistent benefits in a number of areas relating to child health, education, child abuse, parenting and behavioural outcomes".
But in the area of "maternal health and well-being; family stability; family violence; family material circumstances and family exposure to stress and crisis .....no differences emerged."
The report commented that welfare dependence, single parenthood and limited education, "conspired to create a situation in which such families were subject to a 'poverty trap' where welfare benefits were likely to provide a very similar level of income to that which could be obtained from full-time workforce participation. A clear challenge facing current social policy is to supplement home visitation methods such as Early Start with policies that both reduce welfare dependence and increase the earning capacity of these families."
A couple of important points about welfare dependence in New Zealand are confirmed by this report. One, it highlights the significant inter-generational component of welfare dependence and associated factors.
Two, if the statistics can be extrapolated and the authors seem happy to suggest so, it appears that as many as forty percent of welfare families are in need of extra intervention. Resources to meet this level of need are simply not available.
While the results for children were encouraging, changing the behaviour and circumstances of mothers (and fathers where they were involved) was another matter. This suggests that regular home visitation services can help the children but not their parents.
The provision of obligation-free cash to these families acts to exacerbate problems by exempting them from normal work patterns. With no requirement to exercise the self-discipline needed to hold down a job it is also easier to indulge destructive habits and behaviours.
While making a difference to just one child is invaluable, particularly if a cycle is broken, without significant policy reform at government level the work of various family support agencies will continue to be thwarted by the provision of conditional, open-ended benefits.
“Trying to link the receipt of benefits, directly with the tragedy of child abuse and the Kahui twins, as some sort of ‘cause and effect’ is a nonsense.
Direct 'cause and effect'? Maybe not. But link - definitely.
Earlier in the week I wrote this piece. Treating child abuse as inclusive of neglect of social and health needs, this is an attempt to put some scale on the problem and its link with welfare receipt.
HOW BIG IS THIS PROBLEM?
New Zealanders are anxious. How big is the problem of child maltreatment and neglect? How common is the environment the Kahui twins were taken home to? What role have benefits played in this and other tragedies?
While the Prime Minister has called for an investigation into beneficiary "clusters" much is already known about those welfare-dependent families that harbour at-risk babies. Looking for clusters is diversionary.
Notifications to CYF for child abuse and neglect are predicted to exceed 70,000 next year with 73 percent requiring further action.
Of around 550,000 New Zealand families with dependent children, one in five relies on welfare. Children from welfare homes are four times more likely to come to the attention of CYF. So how many children from welfare homes are at risk of abuse, neglect, poor health and/or development problems?
Shedding some light on the answer is an evaluation of the Early Start programme for families with young children. It found around 13 percent of Christchurch families were in need of family support services. According to the report, "These referral statistics provide an indicator of the level of need for services within the community..."
The report assesses a trial which took place from 2000-03. Clients were recruited by Plunket nurses. Of 4,523 families seen over a nineteen month period, 13 percent were deemed needy. Of those, 443 agreed to participate. These clients were then randomly assigned to either the Early Start programme or a control group.
The majority, sixty four percent, were single-parent families. Approximately 90 percent of the families were dependent on welfare.
On examination of the mother's childhood it was found over half had been raised in a single-parent family; over half had witnessed inter-parental violence and over 40 percent reported being the victim of physical or sexual abuse. The mean age of first ever pregnancy was 19, 80 percent of the pregnancies were unplanned and the majority of the mothers, 63 percent, smoked during the pregnancy. One in six used cannabis.
Participants were interviewed at the start and then 12, 24 and 36 month intervals. After one year 21 percent had dropped out of the Early Start programme; after two years 35 and at three years 40 percent. There were no particular factors contributing to the losses.
When the control group was compared to the group which had received services, the Early Start programme had delivered "small but consistent benefits in a number of areas relating to child health, education, child abuse, parenting and behavioural outcomes".
But in the area of "maternal health and well-being; family stability; family violence; family material circumstances and family exposure to stress and crisis .....no differences emerged."
The report commented that welfare dependence, single parenthood and limited education, "conspired to create a situation in which such families were subject to a 'poverty trap' where welfare benefits were likely to provide a very similar level of income to that which could be obtained from full-time workforce participation. A clear challenge facing current social policy is to supplement home visitation methods such as Early Start with policies that both reduce welfare dependence and increase the earning capacity of these families."
A couple of important points about welfare dependence in New Zealand are confirmed by this report. One, it highlights the significant inter-generational component of welfare dependence and associated factors.
Two, if the statistics can be extrapolated and the authors seem happy to suggest so, it appears that as many as forty percent of welfare families are in need of extra intervention. Resources to meet this level of need are simply not available.
While the results for children were encouraging, changing the behaviour and circumstances of mothers (and fathers where they were involved) was another matter. This suggests that regular home visitation services can help the children but not their parents.
The provision of obligation-free cash to these families acts to exacerbate problems by exempting them from normal work patterns. With no requirement to exercise the self-discipline needed to hold down a job it is also easier to indulge destructive habits and behaviours.
While making a difference to just one child is invaluable, particularly if a cycle is broken, without significant policy reform at government level the work of various family support agencies will continue to be thwarted by the provision of conditional, open-ended benefits.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Working For Families kicks in
TV3 News shows latest poll results - Labour well up and National well down.
There has been plenty running against the government but, to use a hackneyed phrase, "at the end of the day" many people have substantially more money in their pockets thanks to Working For Families. Labour bought the last election and are on their way to buying the next.
Never mind any long term strategy for the country; global competitiveness; lifting productivity; breaking intergenerational dysfunctionality. It's all about mediocrity or worse.
Yes. I am glum about it. Should have kept watching my John Farnham (John who?) concert instead of switching over to the news. It was going down very well with a glass of bubbly.
(Question for DPF if you read this - I don't have your e-mail address - is there seasonal variation in polls?)
There has been plenty running against the government but, to use a hackneyed phrase, "at the end of the day" many people have substantially more money in their pockets thanks to Working For Families. Labour bought the last election and are on their way to buying the next.
Never mind any long term strategy for the country; global competitiveness; lifting productivity; breaking intergenerational dysfunctionality. It's all about mediocrity or worse.
Yes. I am glum about it. Should have kept watching my John Farnham (John who?) concert instead of switching over to the news. It was going down very well with a glass of bubbly.
(Question for DPF if you read this - I don't have your e-mail address - is there seasonal variation in polls?)
Bank protest
(left click to enlarge image)
Many people, including me, will be sympathetic to this protest against rapacious banks. Their fees are particularly burdensome on low income clients. But there is a certain irony in this protest. Ms Brookes is a beneficiary protesting on behalf of working people. Perhaps the best option for her to avoid incurring more dishonour fees would be to get a job. If there aren't any in Te Awamutu then she should move. Otherwise she has nothing to look forward to but years ahead with the likes of WINZ and Westpac exerting more control over her life than she can.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Mr Whiskers
Spotted at Spare Room. A new name for Deborah Coddington's book?Not quite. But very effective advertising .....except....I do wonder.....given the way some people read blog entries and completely miss the sense or point, you'd have to worry about the safety of some old local joker who fits this description.
Family life
BRITISH MUMS WANT MORE TIME AT HOME
British mothers are being offered tax credits and daycare places to help them hold down paid jobs but the majority do not like the policy, a survey among 1,736 mothers by First magazine shows. Six out of 10 thought the government "doesn't like traditional families" but favours single mothers and working parents. More than half also said they would send their child to a private school if they could afford it, and two-thirds thought grammar schools -- abolished in the 1970s -- were a good idea.
Among those surveyed, whose average age was 37, about a third worked full-time and a third part-time. Three-quarters of those working said they would reduce their working hours if they could, and nine out of 10 said that if a mother was married and wanted to stay at home, her tax allowance should be added to her husband's, allowing more women the option to be stay-at-home mothers.
They blamed the destruction of family life on "families not eating together" (72 per cent) mostly due to both parents having to work, "video games consoles" (46 per cent), "working mothers" (41 per cent), and "women becoming breadwinners" (23 per cent). The main reason mothers of young children returned to work was to meet basic needs (60 per cent). But with many outside influences, mothers said they were struggling to discipline their children - eight out of ten did not think their children were well disciplined either at home or school and a third admitted that their children swore at them.
The Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, admitted recently the government had probably erred in its approach. "If I look back over the last six years I do think that we have given the impression that we think all mothers should be out to work, preferably full-time as soon as their children are a few months old." ~ Telegraph, June 28
What do you make of all that?
I wonder if it has crossed the minds of many women that the cost of the welfare state, the biggest gobbler of their's and their partners taxes, has reduced their choices? Many appear to feel unable to control their family life due to financial pressures.
British mothers are being offered tax credits and daycare places to help them hold down paid jobs but the majority do not like the policy, a survey among 1,736 mothers by First magazine shows. Six out of 10 thought the government "doesn't like traditional families" but favours single mothers and working parents. More than half also said they would send their child to a private school if they could afford it, and two-thirds thought grammar schools -- abolished in the 1970s -- were a good idea.
Among those surveyed, whose average age was 37, about a third worked full-time and a third part-time. Three-quarters of those working said they would reduce their working hours if they could, and nine out of 10 said that if a mother was married and wanted to stay at home, her tax allowance should be added to her husband's, allowing more women the option to be stay-at-home mothers.
They blamed the destruction of family life on "families not eating together" (72 per cent) mostly due to both parents having to work, "video games consoles" (46 per cent), "working mothers" (41 per cent), and "women becoming breadwinners" (23 per cent). The main reason mothers of young children returned to work was to meet basic needs (60 per cent). But with many outside influences, mothers said they were struggling to discipline their children - eight out of ten did not think their children were well disciplined either at home or school and a third admitted that their children swore at them.
The Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, admitted recently the government had probably erred in its approach. "If I look back over the last six years I do think that we have given the impression that we think all mothers should be out to work, preferably full-time as soon as their children are a few months old." ~ Telegraph, June 28
What do you make of all that?
I wonder if it has crossed the minds of many women that the cost of the welfare state, the biggest gobbler of their's and their partners taxes, has reduced their choices? Many appear to feel unable to control their family life due to financial pressures.
Ronald McDonald school house
In Victoria, Australia, state schools are so dilapidated private/public partnerships are being considered to rebuild them. Here's what one fan of the idea said;
"We'd certainly prefer to have public education funded by the Government," said Parents Victoria president Elaine Crowle.
"We'd hate to have a McDonald's-sponsored school or something."
Dingbat.
"We'd certainly prefer to have public education funded by the Government," said Parents Victoria president Elaine Crowle.
"We'd hate to have a McDonald's-sponsored school or something."
Dingbat.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Brash on welfare
Interesting to read National Leader Don Brash stepping into the welfare debate.
“After seven years, Helen Clark expects the public to believe that Labour has had a 'Road to Damascus' experience when it comes to welfare. The language has changed but will the policies?”
Brash has always been outspoken about this issue, even as Reserve Bank Governor. Which reminds me of a prediction I made back in 2001;
(left click on image to enlarge)
The headline read, Brash won't pussyfoot on welfare. Part of my prediction was right. He was trouble for English. And I still maintain given the chance he won't mess about with welfare. Let's just hope his colleagues don't wimp out on him.
“After seven years, Helen Clark expects the public to believe that Labour has had a 'Road to Damascus' experience when it comes to welfare. The language has changed but will the policies?”
Brash has always been outspoken about this issue, even as Reserve Bank Governor. Which reminds me of a prediction I made back in 2001;
(left click on image to enlarge)
The headline read, Brash won't pussyfoot on welfare. Part of my prediction was right. He was trouble for English. And I still maintain given the chance he won't mess about with welfare. Let's just hope his colleagues don't wimp out on him.
"Drug babies on the rise"
This report from the Australian probably has significance for New Zealand.
Cannabis smoking during pregnancy is a more dire problem in Australia than previously thought, and the effect on babies is severe, a world-first study has found.
The problem is compounded by the fact that 90 per cent of drug-addicted expectant mothers smoke cigarettes, raising further the risk to their babies.
An Early Start evaluation programme from Christchurch which looked at those families most in need of support services found that 63 percent of mothers smoked during pregnancy and one in six used cannabis. 90 percent were on welfare.
Cannabis smoking during pregnancy is a more dire problem in Australia than previously thought, and the effect on babies is severe, a world-first study has found.
The problem is compounded by the fact that 90 per cent of drug-addicted expectant mothers smoke cigarettes, raising further the risk to their babies.
An Early Start evaluation programme from Christchurch which looked at those families most in need of support services found that 63 percent of mothers smoked during pregnancy and one in six used cannabis. 90 percent were on welfare.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Evading the issue - on two counts
David Benson-Pope says, "Smart jobs, not smart cards," and promises to release "milestone" figures tomorrow showing what a great job Labour are doing getting beneficiaries into work.
These will be the June 2006 quarter benefit figures. There may be a substantial drop in DPB numbers because single parents who were working part-time but still getting a partial benefit will have moved onto the Working For families In Work payment. Smoke and mirrors really. The In Work payment comes from the IRD whereas the partial DPB came from WINZ.
I asked the Ministry of Social Development how many would fall into this category as of April 1, 2006. Here's what the CE said;
"When a client exits benefit, Work and Income does not record whether that person went on to receive an In-Work payment. I am also advised that when a person applies for the In-Work payment, Inland revenue does not record whether the person has just left benefit."
So if the government is trumpeting a drop in DPB numbers numbers tomorrow bear this in mind.
Apart from which, National's proposal about smart cards was aimed at a completely different group of beneficiaries from those amenable to working. People on the DPB trying to find a balance or transition between child-minding and work aren't the problem. Benson-Pope is simply trying to take the heat off an underclass festering away under his governance. It's disgusting.
These will be the June 2006 quarter benefit figures. There may be a substantial drop in DPB numbers because single parents who were working part-time but still getting a partial benefit will have moved onto the Working For families In Work payment. Smoke and mirrors really. The In Work payment comes from the IRD whereas the partial DPB came from WINZ.
I asked the Ministry of Social Development how many would fall into this category as of April 1, 2006. Here's what the CE said;
"When a client exits benefit, Work and Income does not record whether that person went on to receive an In-Work payment. I am also advised that when a person applies for the In-Work payment, Inland revenue does not record whether the person has just left benefit."
So if the government is trumpeting a drop in DPB numbers numbers tomorrow bear this in mind.
Apart from which, National's proposal about smart cards was aimed at a completely different group of beneficiaries from those amenable to working. People on the DPB trying to find a balance or transition between child-minding and work aren't the problem. Benson-Pope is simply trying to take the heat off an underclass festering away under his governance. It's disgusting.
More predictions
Last week I blogged about Matt Robson's Crystal Ball
Today's Robson-on-politics says,
Robson's crystal ball
I've had feed-back from my prediction National will lose again in 2008. Let me outline three reasons for my confidence:
The economy: The Labour-Progressive-Green (LPG) bloc won 47.6% (41.1% + 5.3% + 1.2%) of votes cast last September midway through a six-month period of zero economic growth.
The Nat-ACT-United-NZF (NAUN) alternative got 49% (39.1% + 1.5% + 2.7% + 5.7%), but National still managed to end up in Opposition. The economy will be much stronger in 2008 than it was during the zero growth second-half of 2005.
http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/partystatus.html
In-fighting on the Right: United and NZF promised to support the party with the most seats to form a government last year. ACT's capture of two seats was the most critical factor in last September's government-formation outcome.
Had National kept Epsom and those two ACT seats instead been National seats, then it would have been 50-50 seats a piece between National and Labour and there is no question that that would have delivered a National-United-NZ First government supported on confidence by the Maori Party.
Rodney was the Left's saviour last September and on-going in-fighting across NAUF will be even more intense in 2008.
Today's Robson-on-politics says,
Robson's crystal ball
I've had feed-back from my prediction National will lose again in 2008. Let me outline three reasons for my confidence:
The economy: The Labour-Progressive-Green (LPG) bloc won 47.6% (41.1% + 5.3% + 1.2%) of votes cast last September midway through a six-month period of zero economic growth.
The Nat-ACT-United-NZF (NAUN) alternative got 49% (39.1% + 1.5% + 2.7% + 5.7%), but National still managed to end up in Opposition. The economy will be much stronger in 2008 than it was during the zero growth second-half of 2005.
http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/partystatus.html
In-fighting on the Right: United and NZF promised to support the party with the most seats to form a government last year. ACT's capture of two seats was the most critical factor in last September's government-formation outcome.
Had National kept Epsom and those two ACT seats instead been National seats, then it would have been 50-50 seats a piece between National and Labour and there is no question that that would have delivered a National-United-NZ First government supported on confidence by the Maori Party.
Rodney was the Left's saviour last September and on-going in-fighting across NAUF will be even more intense in 2008.
CYF predictions accurate
Stuff reports in March there was a record number of child abuse and neglect notifications to CYF. This marries up with the CYF statement of intent predictions posted earlier. If CYF know how many cases there will be they know what is driving them.
The Government's child-protection agency is struggling to cope with its growing caseload, leaving even children in critical situations languishing on its books, new figures show.
Welfare groups say it is time Child, Youth and Family (CYF) admitted it could not handle its workload and contracted out more cases to qualified or experienced community groups.
In March, CYF received a record number of calls, with almost 6000 notifications from police or the community about possible child abuse or neglect.
And just stop for a moment. Think about this.
73,000+ cases per year represents 13 percent of under ten-year-olds. Of course some cases may represent the same child, some more than one child and some, children over ten, but this highly unscientific calculation serves to create some tangible idea of the scale of notifications.
The Government's child-protection agency is struggling to cope with its growing caseload, leaving even children in critical situations languishing on its books, new figures show.
Welfare groups say it is time Child, Youth and Family (CYF) admitted it could not handle its workload and contracted out more cases to qualified or experienced community groups.
In March, CYF received a record number of calls, with almost 6000 notifications from police or the community about possible child abuse or neglect.
And just stop for a moment. Think about this.
73,000+ cases per year represents 13 percent of under ten-year-olds. Of course some cases may represent the same child, some more than one child and some, children over ten, but this highly unscientific calculation serves to create some tangible idea of the scale of notifications.
Pearls of wisdom
Here's a pearl of wisdom from Minister for Auckland, Judith Tizard. In her usual spot with Tau Henare on NewstalkZB this morning she was opposing any move to control how beneficiaries spend their money. She said this, "In order to learn the value of money they need to learn the value of money."No Judith. In order to learn the value of money people need to earn it.
Got any more bright ideas?
What do we think about this proposal from National?
National is investigating smart cards to stop beneficiaries spending welfare payments on booze, drugs or gambling.
The proposal involves paying about one-third of benefits for seriously at-risk families directly to supermarkets.
The money could be accessed only with smart cards similar to existing loyalty cards, which would block the purchase of selected items, National welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins said. "It wouldn't have to be everybody who's a beneficiary, but for those who are clearly not looking after their kids in terms of being able to get them fed before they go to school, we should be looking at it."
Ummm. How would I rip this off? I know. I'll swap my food purchases with a mate for booze and ciggies.
She buys $30 worth of booze and ciggies. I buy $40 worth of food. We swap. She's got more food and I've still got my "luxuries". The kids are still going hungry but I don't care.
And I'm still getting two-thirds of the cash I was so I can still play the pokies. In fact I'll need to spend more on the pokies trying to recoup what WINZ aren't giving me.
No worries.
National is investigating smart cards to stop beneficiaries spending welfare payments on booze, drugs or gambling.
The proposal involves paying about one-third of benefits for seriously at-risk families directly to supermarkets.
The money could be accessed only with smart cards similar to existing loyalty cards, which would block the purchase of selected items, National welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins said. "It wouldn't have to be everybody who's a beneficiary, but for those who are clearly not looking after their kids in terms of being able to get them fed before they go to school, we should be looking at it."
Ummm. How would I rip this off? I know. I'll swap my food purchases with a mate for booze and ciggies.
She buys $30 worth of booze and ciggies. I buy $40 worth of food. We swap. She's got more food and I've still got my "luxuries". The kids are still going hungry but I don't care.
And I'm still getting two-thirds of the cash I was so I can still play the pokies. In fact I'll need to spend more on the pokies trying to recoup what WINZ aren't giving me.
No worries.
Could do better
Steve Maharey appeared on Close Up on Monday evening. Paul Henry discussed the issue of dyslexic children with the Minister of Education. You can see the interview here.
Yesterday, it triggered a storm of calls to talkback which persisted from 8.30 to midday. People were very angry with Mr Maharey who they felt was "arrogant" and "out of touch". He was maintaining support for dyslexic children was quite adequate whereas parents calling Justin du Fresne's show described quite a different situation.
At about 3 minutes to twelve Mr Maharey rang in. What he said went something like, You know I come from an academic background, my trade is as a sociologist. I want people to be reassured that I might be a new Minister for Education but I am very familiar with the subject of dyslexia. And on it went in this vein.
The impression created was Mr Maharey's ego had been dented and he had rung in to defend it. Given he had barely a couple of minutes airtime that is what was most important.
What he should have done is acknowledge the callers concerns and the lack of time to properly address them. Then he should have asked the host if he could come on air the next day, possibly to do an extended session during which people could ring in and speak with him. As it was he only made a bad situation worse.
It's not about you Steve.
Yesterday, it triggered a storm of calls to talkback which persisted from 8.30 to midday. People were very angry with Mr Maharey who they felt was "arrogant" and "out of touch". He was maintaining support for dyslexic children was quite adequate whereas parents calling Justin du Fresne's show described quite a different situation.
At about 3 minutes to twelve Mr Maharey rang in. What he said went something like, You know I come from an academic background, my trade is as a sociologist. I want people to be reassured that I might be a new Minister for Education but I am very familiar with the subject of dyslexia. And on it went in this vein.
The impression created was Mr Maharey's ego had been dented and he had rung in to defend it. Given he had barely a couple of minutes airtime that is what was most important.
What he should have done is acknowledge the callers concerns and the lack of time to properly address them. Then he should have asked the host if he could come on air the next day, possibly to do an extended session during which people could ring in and speak with him. As it was he only made a bad situation worse.
It's not about you Steve.
NCEA - No Correlation between Effort and Achievement
The NZ Herald reports on how students view the NCEA;
* "When you know you will pass anyway, why study? And after you have 80 credits there is no motivation to do better."
* "No need to try hard, no motivation to work hard. Can slack off for most of the year and still pass."
* "Higher achievers get the same amount of credits as the basic achievers - no incentive to gain higher marks."
* "I can look as good as someone who gets 100 per cent as long as I pass."
* "It encourages people to be average."
With two children who will go through this system this report is a real worry. One of them thrives on recognition - the other is more of a cruiser. It seems ridiculous that the NCEA system offers me more confidence that the second one will be all right but the first could struggle to stay motivated.
* "When you know you will pass anyway, why study? And after you have 80 credits there is no motivation to do better."
* "No need to try hard, no motivation to work hard. Can slack off for most of the year and still pass."
* "Higher achievers get the same amount of credits as the basic achievers - no incentive to gain higher marks."
* "I can look as good as someone who gets 100 per cent as long as I pass."
* "It encourages people to be average."
With two children who will go through this system this report is a real worry. One of them thrives on recognition - the other is more of a cruiser. It seems ridiculous that the NCEA system offers me more confidence that the second one will be all right but the first could struggle to stay motivated.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Entitlement mentality
Prompted by a comment on the previous post here are a couple of thoughts expressed in a speech given to the Freedom Summit in Rotorua in 2004;
I'd hazard a guess that some welfare dependants think money is merely something the government prints at will. There is no understanding that the money they receive is the product of somebody else's efforts. Because they don't understand this, they rationally resent their relatively small share.
Those who do understand the source of their income have an attitude that the productive person's money isn't rightfully theirs because they got it by exploiting others and they have too much of it anyway. There is no end of people who see themselves as victims of some sort of injustice or unfair treatment, be it of sexism, ageism, racism, capitalism or colonisation. These people, with their inevitable collectivist mentality, demand recompense from all of society.
Either thought process leads to the conclusion that the world owes them a living, and any avenue by which they subsequently obtain money is, to their mind, justifiable.
I'd hazard a guess that some welfare dependants think money is merely something the government prints at will. There is no understanding that the money they receive is the product of somebody else's efforts. Because they don't understand this, they rationally resent their relatively small share.
Those who do understand the source of their income have an attitude that the productive person's money isn't rightfully theirs because they got it by exploiting others and they have too much of it anyway. There is no end of people who see themselves as victims of some sort of injustice or unfair treatment, be it of sexism, ageism, racism, capitalism or colonisation. These people, with their inevitable collectivist mentality, demand recompense from all of society.
Either thought process leads to the conclusion that the world owes them a living, and any avenue by which they subsequently obtain money is, to their mind, justifiable.
Voice of experience
A self-explanatory letter sent from a good friend of mine to the DomPost. I reproduce it here because there is no guarantee the DomPost will publish what contains some unpalatable truths.
Dear Sir
The Kahui tragedy led to two points of view in the Dompost: the 29/6 editorial "Blame welfare, not colonialism" and Chris Trotter's column the next day: "Playing the Blame Game"
When I worked as a Plunketnurse from 1975 -1985, the corrosive effects of welfarism were blindingly obvious and predictable even then. Poor Pakeha as well as poor Maori women were living on the dole as single mums and continued to give birth to fatherless children. The dole was their meal ticket.
These women were no advertisement for their respective races, and, happily, neither did they represent the majority. Single Pakeha women could not claim colonialism for their plight, but what they did have in common with Maori single mums was an unshakeable feeling of entitlement to taxpayer funded support and make no mistake about it: they insisted on being given larger flats or statehouses for their growing FATHERLESS families
Just how to end or even change a "lifestyle" that has become so ingrained over several generations is far from clear to me.
Yours sincerely,
Eneka Odinot
Dear Sir
The Kahui tragedy led to two points of view in the Dompost: the 29/6 editorial "Blame welfare, not colonialism" and Chris Trotter's column the next day: "Playing the Blame Game"
When I worked as a Plunketnurse from 1975 -1985, the corrosive effects of welfarism were blindingly obvious and predictable even then. Poor Pakeha as well as poor Maori women were living on the dole as single mums and continued to give birth to fatherless children. The dole was their meal ticket.
These women were no advertisement for their respective races, and, happily, neither did they represent the majority. Single Pakeha women could not claim colonialism for their plight, but what they did have in common with Maori single mums was an unshakeable feeling of entitlement to taxpayer funded support and make no mistake about it: they insisted on being given larger flats or statehouses for their growing FATHERLESS families
Just how to end or even change a "lifestyle" that has become so ingrained over several generations is far from clear to me.
Yours sincerely,
Eneka Odinot
Ripples in a pond
Reporting on the Kahui case Radio New Zealand says , Twenty detectives are working on the double homicide inquiry.
Contrast this to a report from the Waikato Times;
Hamilton's detectives are being side-tracked from serious crime as the thin blue line is stretched ever further....At least 24 cases are sitting unallocated, some dealing with the sexual violation of children.
The Kahui's refusal to co-operate is surely demanding greater resources which are desperately needed elsewhere. They are the pebble thrown in a pond from which many ripples continue to grow.
Contrast this to a report from the Waikato Times;
Hamilton's detectives are being side-tracked from serious crime as the thin blue line is stretched ever further....At least 24 cases are sitting unallocated, some dealing with the sexual violation of children.
The Kahui's refusal to co-operate is surely demanding greater resources which are desperately needed elsewhere. They are the pebble thrown in a pond from which many ripples continue to grow.
"Blitz" the DPB
Media Release
BLITZ ON THE DPB MORE URGENT
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
While a "blitz" on the dole is welcome, even more urgent is a blitz on the DPB, according to Lindsay Mitchell, welfare commentator.
Appearing on Breakfast TV yesterday Mitchell said, "We must stop paying babies to have babies."
"Obviously the Prime Minister wasn't listening. According to the DomPost she has called for a blitz on the dole and identification of families that have been on welfare for three or four generations. While those on the dole may be fathering the babies it's the women on the DPB who are having them. They control that eventuality and they won't rely on a man's income if they don't have to. It is the DPB driving intergenerational dependency - not the dole."
"But why has it taken so long for the PM to make this call, as incomplete as it is? In 2004, when the dole 'no-go' zones were introduced, I asked the Prime Minister why they didn't apply to people on the DPB. She admitted then there are families in Northland and the East Coast where drug, alcohol, violence and crime problems were rife and some children hadn't seen their grandparents go to work, let alone their parents."
"In 2003 New Zealand data was analysed by the University of Auckland in an effort to define the degree of intergenerational benefit dependency. They found a correlation co-efficient of between one and two thirds. The 'results also suggested that transmission of welfare dependency from one generation to the next may be somewhat stronger among females and Maori youth.' "
"Just last year an evaluation of the Early Start programme in Christchurch, which looked at families most in need of support services found that 64 percent were single parent families. Of those over half of the mothers had been raised in single parent families. 90 percent of the families were on welfare."
"This problem has been staring us in the face for decades. The Prime Minister needs to get over her feminist inclinations and call for a blitz on both the dole and the DPB or is it only men who are to be scrutinised?"
BLITZ ON THE DPB MORE URGENT
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
While a "blitz" on the dole is welcome, even more urgent is a blitz on the DPB, according to Lindsay Mitchell, welfare commentator.
Appearing on Breakfast TV yesterday Mitchell said, "We must stop paying babies to have babies."
"Obviously the Prime Minister wasn't listening. According to the DomPost she has called for a blitz on the dole and identification of families that have been on welfare for three or four generations. While those on the dole may be fathering the babies it's the women on the DPB who are having them. They control that eventuality and they won't rely on a man's income if they don't have to. It is the DPB driving intergenerational dependency - not the dole."
"But why has it taken so long for the PM to make this call, as incomplete as it is? In 2004, when the dole 'no-go' zones were introduced, I asked the Prime Minister why they didn't apply to people on the DPB. She admitted then there are families in Northland and the East Coast where drug, alcohol, violence and crime problems were rife and some children hadn't seen their grandparents go to work, let alone their parents."
"In 2003 New Zealand data was analysed by the University of Auckland in an effort to define the degree of intergenerational benefit dependency. They found a correlation co-efficient of between one and two thirds. The 'results also suggested that transmission of welfare dependency from one generation to the next may be somewhat stronger among females and Maori youth.' "
"Just last year an evaluation of the Early Start programme in Christchurch, which looked at families most in need of support services found that 64 percent were single parent families. Of those over half of the mothers had been raised in single parent families. 90 percent of the families were on welfare."
"This problem has been staring us in the face for decades. The Prime Minister needs to get over her feminist inclinations and call for a blitz on both the dole and the DPB or is it only men who are to be scrutinised?"
Monday, July 03, 2006
How does she know?
Crackdown on benefits
3/07/2006 18:52:02
The Government's having a crack down on benefit abuse by entire families in the wake of the Kahui case.
During the course of the inquiry it was revealed that multiple members of the murdered twins' family are on benefits.
Prime Minister Helen Clark says the Government is looking at whether there are clusters of households like the Kahui family, which can be investigated to see if their benefits are being paid properly.
She says it is a problem which involves an extremely small proportion of beneficiaries who get in a cycle of dependency and do not work.
How does she know that?
When people give one address but are transient between others, when relationships aren't disclosed, when true living costs are not declared, when children get passed between families, how does she know that the problem involves an extremely small percentage of beneficiaries?
3/07/2006 18:52:02
The Government's having a crack down on benefit abuse by entire families in the wake of the Kahui case.
During the course of the inquiry it was revealed that multiple members of the murdered twins' family are on benefits.
Prime Minister Helen Clark says the Government is looking at whether there are clusters of households like the Kahui family, which can be investigated to see if their benefits are being paid properly.
She says it is a problem which involves an extremely small proportion of beneficiaries who get in a cycle of dependency and do not work.
How does she know that?
When people give one address but are transient between others, when relationships aren't disclosed, when true living costs are not declared, when children get passed between families, how does she know that the problem involves an extremely small percentage of beneficiaries?
Waikato has highest teenage birth rate
There are a couple of interesting confirmations in this article.
In the Waikato, 41 of every 1000 15-19 year-olds had babies, compared with the national average of 31.
The poorest women were – 10 times more likely to give birth than teenagers in the most well off situations.
They will all be going on welfare - long term.
Dr Craig said the birth rates differed significantly between races. Nationally, Maori were nearly five times more likely to have teenage births than Europeans, while Pacific Islanders were three times as likely.
None of this augers well at all. But Aunty Tariana will be pleased.
In the Waikato, 41 of every 1000 15-19 year-olds had babies, compared with the national average of 31.
The poorest women were – 10 times more likely to give birth than teenagers in the most well off situations.
They will all be going on welfare - long term.
Dr Craig said the birth rates differed significantly between races. Nationally, Maori were nearly five times more likely to have teenage births than Europeans, while Pacific Islanders were three times as likely.
None of this augers well at all. But Aunty Tariana will be pleased.
What we can look forward to
Is the Ministry of Social Development not the most perverse department?
Here are predictions from the CYF division Statement of Intent. They include a 38 percent increase in child neglect and abuse notifications and a 29 percent increase in referrals from the Police to CYF. This division is frantically try to get on top of their workload while another division, WINZ, are busy handing out benefits to the people who create all of this dysfunction. Go Figure.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Saturday, July 01, 2006
prison vs work
In prison you spend the majority of your time in an 8'x10' cell. At work you spend most of your time in a 6'x8' cubicle.
In prison you get three meals a day. At work you only get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.
In prison you get time off for good behavior. At work you get rewarded for good behavior with more work.
In prison a guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you. At work you must carry around a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself.
In prison you can watch TV and play games. At work you get fired for watching TV and playing games.
In prison they allow your family and friends to visit. At work you cannot even speak to your family and friends.
In prison all expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required. At work you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.
In prison you spend most of your life looking through the bars from the inside wanting to get out. At work you spend your time wanting to get out and inside bars.
In prison you can join many programs which you can leave at any time. At work there are some programs you can never get out of.
In prison there are wardens who are often sadistic. At work there are managers.
Those are from the Adam Smith blog. I'm sure we can think of some more NZ examples, like...
In prison you can breastfeed. At work you can't.
In prison you get underfloor heating. At work you get legionnaires disease from the crappy air conditioning system.
In prison the gym is free. At work you have to pay a membership fee.
In prison a positive drug test means a longer sentence. At work a positive drug test means you are out on your ear.
In prison you can smoke. At work it is prohibited.
Got any more?
In prison you get three meals a day. At work you only get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.
In prison you get time off for good behavior. At work you get rewarded for good behavior with more work.
In prison a guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you. At work you must carry around a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself.
In prison you can watch TV and play games. At work you get fired for watching TV and playing games.
In prison they allow your family and friends to visit. At work you cannot even speak to your family and friends.
In prison all expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required. At work you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.
In prison you spend most of your life looking through the bars from the inside wanting to get out. At work you spend your time wanting to get out and inside bars.
In prison you can join many programs which you can leave at any time. At work there are some programs you can never get out of.
In prison there are wardens who are often sadistic. At work there are managers.
Those are from the Adam Smith blog. I'm sure we can think of some more NZ examples, like...
In prison you can breastfeed. At work you can't.
In prison you get underfloor heating. At work you get legionnaires disease from the crappy air conditioning system.
In prison the gym is free. At work you have to pay a membership fee.
In prison a positive drug test means a longer sentence. At work a positive drug test means you are out on your ear.
In prison you can smoke. At work it is prohibited.
Got any more?
Decentralising welfare
John Tamihere wants benefits paid to the National Maori Urban Authority so they can control how the final recipients spend them. It's not a new idea. It has advantages and disadvantages. In a way such a system resembles what happens in the US where the federal government provides funding to the states which then control the delivery. The states break it down further to counties. The smaller the unit the greater the intimacy between the provider and the recipient. Certainly more pressure can be brought to bear and more specialised and relevant support can be offered. I am also reminded of Switzerland where local government has retained control of welfare and there were over 3,000 different systems for seven million people (figures from the late nineties). But federalisation applies to all - not just one group of people.
What Tamihere is proposing means treating Maori differently which would face enormous political barriers. The risk of corruption and nepotism is very real, especially amongst people with tribal mentalities. The power concentrated in the hands of a few seems undesirable and a backward step for Maori.
On the plus side there would have to be compulsion involved which might not be a bad thing. If people didn't want to come under the control of the authority, didn't want to losing their spending autonomy, their best option would be to get job. That happened in the US when activity obligations were introduced. Many people made their own arrangements.
Decentralisation properly managed could be an improvement but would have to operate on an all or nothing basis.
The various responses to this idea are probably more interesting than the idea itself. Typically the Greens are prattling about "beneficiary rights"
Metiria Turei says,"We completely oppose attempts to impose centralised control over people's lives. They [the authority] have no right to decide for people how their income is spent. I find it offensive that Maori are proposing such a policy."
Alan Duff says,"The only way is to stop giving benefits entirely, and families will get by exactly the same as families do anywhere else on the planet where there are no benefits."
Duff's on the money.
What Tamihere is proposing means treating Maori differently which would face enormous political barriers. The risk of corruption and nepotism is very real, especially amongst people with tribal mentalities. The power concentrated in the hands of a few seems undesirable and a backward step for Maori.
On the plus side there would have to be compulsion involved which might not be a bad thing. If people didn't want to come under the control of the authority, didn't want to losing their spending autonomy, their best option would be to get job. That happened in the US when activity obligations were introduced. Many people made their own arrangements.
Decentralisation properly managed could be an improvement but would have to operate on an all or nothing basis.
The various responses to this idea are probably more interesting than the idea itself. Typically the Greens are prattling about "beneficiary rights"
Metiria Turei says,"We completely oppose attempts to impose centralised control over people's lives. They [the authority] have no right to decide for people how their income is spent. I find it offensive that Maori are proposing such a policy."
Alan Duff says,"The only way is to stop giving benefits entirely, and families will get by exactly the same as families do anywhere else on the planet where there are no benefits."
Duff's on the money.
Friday, June 30, 2006
SuperTrev - the "shameless self-promoter"
Not my words I hasten to add. The DomPost's Diary points out today that while some MPs are known to be shameless self-promoters, Trevor Mallard really must take the cake with his latest Trev's Tribune, delivered "free" to Hutt South homes. It has eight pages packed with no less than thirteen images of SuperTrev. For those of you not lucky enough to be the recipient of Trev's Tribute..sorry, Tribune, let me share a couple of them with you;
In the house....
And outside the house.
Is that enough?
In the house....
And outside the house.
Is that enough?
Juror lists
Is it any wonder people are reluctant to do jury service when you read a story like this. Is it standard practice for a district court to mail the names of jurors to the defendant? It looks like the only mistake the court made was to omit a covering letter which I am assuming tells the recipient that the information is confidential.
Judge not!
Chris Trotter, in today's Dompost, is in the pulpit asking who God would blame for the deaths of the Kahui twins. He uses this question to list everything he blames. To summarise;
- historical racism from journalists and politicians who casually referred to Maori as "niggers"
- cheap whiskey and syphilis brought by the European
- ingratitude to the 28th Maori Battalion
- state house ghettos
- booze barns
- envy and self-loathing due to TV advertising images of success and plenty in an ever-white world
- emulation of the black American underclass
- Rogernomics
- Tina
- cold-eyed and thin-lipped Winz workers
- unemployment
- theft of land last century, specifically that belonging to the Kahui's great-great-great-grandparents.
- P pushers
And finishes, Or would he whisper, softly:"Judge not, that ye not be judged."
- historical racism from journalists and politicians who casually referred to Maori as "niggers"
- cheap whiskey and syphilis brought by the European
- ingratitude to the 28th Maori Battalion
- state house ghettos
- booze barns
- envy and self-loathing due to TV advertising images of success and plenty in an ever-white world
- emulation of the black American underclass
- Rogernomics
- Tina
- cold-eyed and thin-lipped Winz workers
- unemployment
- theft of land last century, specifically that belonging to the Kahui's great-great-great-grandparents.
- P pushers
And finishes, Or would he whisper, softly:"Judge not, that ye not be judged."
US Welfare rules
Ten years after Bill Clinton introduced real welfare reform in the US they are renewing funding rules. Based on the 2005 caseloads federal funding to states now requires 50 percent of welfare recipients to be engaged in 30 hours of meaningful activity - playing the pokies or getting pissed doesn't qualify.
This comes after the sixty percent reduction in welfare rolls already achieved.
Liberals are naturally critical. Conservatives, however, say the new rules will push welfare recipients into private jobs. “What we learned the first time is that poor people are a lot more resilient and capable than the left presumes,” says Jason Turner, a Heritage Foundation visiting fellow who consults on welfare with about 25 states.
This comes after the sixty percent reduction in welfare rolls already achieved.
Liberals are naturally critical. Conservatives, however, say the new rules will push welfare recipients into private jobs. “What we learned the first time is that poor people are a lot more resilient and capable than the left presumes,” says Jason Turner, a Heritage Foundation visiting fellow who consults on welfare with about 25 states.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Maybe I need glasses
Funny how you misread headlines sometimes;
Gremlin At RNZ - Broadcasts by Radio New Zealand have been hit by major technical gremlins this afternoon, seriously affecting news feeds and audio services.
I read it as Kremlin at RNZ.
Gremlin At RNZ - Broadcasts by Radio New Zealand have been hit by major technical gremlins this afternoon, seriously affecting news feeds and audio services.
I read it as Kremlin at RNZ.
Aussie rules
Australia is one of the few countries which has the same sort of single-parents-on-welfare problem that NZ faces. Here is their latest attempt to motivate people into work;
Under Welfare to Work - which takes effect from Saturday - those applying for the disability support pension or parenting payment will be forced onto the lower Newstart allowance if they are assessed as able to work 15 hours a week.
Those breaching certain rules - missing an interview, for example - three times in a year could lose payments for two months.
Under Welfare to Work - which takes effect from Saturday - those applying for the disability support pension or parenting payment will be forced onto the lower Newstart allowance if they are assessed as able to work 15 hours a week.
Those breaching certain rules - missing an interview, for example - three times in a year could lose payments for two months.
Children in prison
Sue Bradford's bill to allow women to keep their child in prison up until the age of two was sent unanimously to select committee last night. I support this move only because prison would appear to be the safer option for these children. Given the social environments their mothers come out of there is often nobody better to care for them.
BUT each situation should still be treated on a case by case basis. If there was a willing and stable alternative caregiver eg a grandparent, that person should be preferred. The child's interests should take precedence over the mothers. It isn't easy getting into prison. In most cases the mother will have already been given and failed to take second, third etc chances.
But many questions remain. What about a mother with an existing baby at the time of incarceration. A one year-old perhaps. Will that child be housed in prison or does the bill only apply to newborns?
If the woman is in for a very long sentence wouldn't it be better for the baby to be bonding with someone else?
What about the father? Where are his rights in the hierarchal order? If he is a perfectly good father (not highly likely) does her right to breastfeed take precedence over his desire for custody?
It'll be an interesting debate.
BUT each situation should still be treated on a case by case basis. If there was a willing and stable alternative caregiver eg a grandparent, that person should be preferred. The child's interests should take precedence over the mothers. It isn't easy getting into prison. In most cases the mother will have already been given and failed to take second, third etc chances.
But many questions remain. What about a mother with an existing baby at the time of incarceration. A one year-old perhaps. Will that child be housed in prison or does the bill only apply to newborns?
If the woman is in for a very long sentence wouldn't it be better for the baby to be bonding with someone else?
What about the father? Where are his rights in the hierarchal order? If he is a perfectly good father (not highly likely) does her right to breastfeed take precedence over his desire for custody?
It'll be an interesting debate.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
In a different light
Matt Robson's crystal ball
According to ex Progressive MP, Matt Robson, National is headed for its 4th consecutive election defeat in October 2008. It hasn't managed to be that incompetent since 1946. National isn't up to leading New Zealand. Not only does he know that National are going to lose - he knows which month the election is going to be held in.
I didn't know this, from Wikipedia, Despite having achieved high political office in New Zealand, Robson did not become a naturalised citizen until 2000. Under the terms of New Zealand's Electoral Act, anyone permanently resident before August 1975 has the right to vote and stand for election.
I thought that a candidate had to be a NZ Citizen to stand for Parliament. Did the Electoral Act change or am I wrong?
And on it goes
The paper came late this morning and I have only just seen the cover story about Lillibing's mother.
Here is another sadly pathetic young mother who keeps getting pregnant when she can't cope.
The journalist says Matiaha played no part in her daughter Lillybing's death in 2000. I think in a passive way she did. She neglected her. She constantly left the child in the care of her Aunts without supplying nappies or food or clothing. Her crime was one of ommission. When Lillybing died Matiaha was in hospital with another younger baby ill with dehydration. I wonder what happened to that little girl?
Now we learn she had twins in February this year. Born prematurely one has suffered continuing illness and the other died this month. Cot death is suspected. Although the mother lives in Wellington the death happened in the Wairarapa. The child arrived dead at Masterton hospital. That is the second Matiaha baby that has arrived dead at Masterton Hospital. I feel for the staff.
The other twin has now been taken into state care.
Here is another sadly pathetic young mother who keeps getting pregnant when she can't cope.
The journalist says Matiaha played no part in her daughter Lillybing's death in 2000. I think in a passive way she did. She neglected her. She constantly left the child in the care of her Aunts without supplying nappies or food or clothing. Her crime was one of ommission. When Lillybing died Matiaha was in hospital with another younger baby ill with dehydration. I wonder what happened to that little girl?
Now we learn she had twins in February this year. Born prematurely one has suffered continuing illness and the other died this month. Cot death is suspected. Although the mother lives in Wellington the death happened in the Wairarapa. The child arrived dead at Masterton hospital. That is the second Matiaha baby that has arrived dead at Masterton Hospital. I feel for the staff.
The other twin has now been taken into state care.
I'm a "blame merchant"
Tariana says, Over this last week the nation has been grasping for understanding to explain away the tragic deaths of three month old twin boys in Mangere. The blame merchants have been at it again, trotting out the same line, finger pointing, grabbing headlines - but no solutions.
It's true. I blame the individuals who have lost their humanity thanks to government's condoning their rotten lifestyles by paying them to perpetuate the manginess.
But I do have a solution. STOP DOING IT. Stop paying people to churn out babies and they will stop. Those babies weren't wanted. They were in the way. If they were wanted they wouldn't be dead.
Hell, if we are going to finance people's destructive drink and drug habits, let's pay them NOT to have babies. Even that would be an improvement.
It's true. I blame the individuals who have lost their humanity thanks to government's condoning their rotten lifestyles by paying them to perpetuate the manginess.
But I do have a solution. STOP DOING IT. Stop paying people to churn out babies and they will stop. Those babies weren't wanted. They were in the way. If they were wanted they wouldn't be dead.
Hell, if we are going to finance people's destructive drink and drug habits, let's pay them NOT to have babies. Even that would be an improvement.
More like it
Yesterday the NZ Herald had a go at estimating the benefits going into the Kahui/King families and put it at between $845 and $1,395. That seemed conservative to me.
Rodney Hide came up with a higher figure and asked Minister for Social Development David Benson-Pope whether he agreed.
Here's another thought.
Did productive tax-payers pay for the tangi as well?
Funeral Grant
This grant may be available to the partner, child, parent or guardian of someone who has died, to help towards the cost of the funeral. The grant of $1662.58 (as at 1 April 2006) is income and asset tested.
I prefaced tax-payers with productive because yesterday family 'spokesperson', Ani Hawke told Paul Holmes that she objected to these people being called bludgers. They pay tax, she said.
Indeed. Benefits are taxed.
That was after she had said to Holmes, "Don't sneer at me Paul. I thought you had more class than that mate." She had rung him by the way.
Rodney Hide came up with a higher figure and asked Minister for Social Development David Benson-Pope whether he agreed.
Here's another thought.
Did productive tax-payers pay for the tangi as well?
Funeral Grant
This grant may be available to the partner, child, parent or guardian of someone who has died, to help towards the cost of the funeral. The grant of $1662.58 (as at 1 April 2006) is income and asset tested.
I prefaced tax-payers with productive because yesterday family 'spokesperson', Ani Hawke told Paul Holmes that she objected to these people being called bludgers. They pay tax, she said.
Indeed. Benefits are taxed.
That was after she had said to Holmes, "Don't sneer at me Paul. I thought you had more class than that mate." She had rung him by the way.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Teenage parenthood traps young Maori
The majority of single parents who have been on a benefit since their teens are Maori.
In 2005 almost 20,000 benefit-dependent Maori single parents had first received a benefit under the age of twenty. In the care of these parents are around 33,500 children.
The equivalent figures for NZ European are just under 13,000 parents looking after approximately 19,000 children.
The availability of the Domestic Purpose's Benefit to 18 and 19 year-olds, and before that, the Emergency Maintenance Allowance to 16 and 17 year- olds, serves as a bigger trap for Maori than other group.
Many go down this road because that's all they have ever seen. Often they are too young and immature to cope with the responsibility of parenting, sometimes with tragic consequences. What these kids need is more time to grow up free from the temptation of the seemingly easy money that comes with babies.
Parenting is never easy but teenagers are prone to finding this out too late.
The government must end this neglectful policy and give young New Zealanders, Maori in particular, a chance to lead lives that aren't prematurely burdened with unwanted responsibility.
Note. The table only features up to 32 year-olds. This is because the MSD doesn't have the electronic data going back further. So these figures are minimum.
Child abuse statistics
According to the DomPost, More than 1000 Maori children were victims of abuse in the past year, a rate far higher than other ethnic groups, Child Youth and Family Services figures show.
It dealt with 1010 cases of physical abuse involving Maori children for 2005, compared with 613 Pakeha cases and 451 Pacific Island cases.
Yet the following table shows more than 13,000 cases of established abuse.
If both pieces of information are correct the difference must be accounted for with mental abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.
Notice the Pacific Island rate of physical abuse is also very high at 22 percent of the total reported. Pacific people make up around 7 percent of New Zealand's population, although that would rise in the lower age groups.
One more thought. There may be some over-reporting with some children recorded in more than one ethnic group. Typically the difference would not be highly significant.
It dealt with 1010 cases of physical abuse involving Maori children for 2005, compared with 613 Pakeha cases and 451 Pacific Island cases.
Yet the following table shows more than 13,000 cases of established abuse.
If both pieces of information are correct the difference must be accounted for with mental abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.
Notice the Pacific Island rate of physical abuse is also very high at 22 percent of the total reported. Pacific people make up around 7 percent of New Zealand's population, although that would rise in the lower age groups.
One more thought. There may be some over-reporting with some children recorded in more than one ethnic group. Typically the difference would not be highly significant.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Getting ugly
Iwi leader calls for restraint over twins’ death
Monday, 26 June 2006, 2:08 pm
Press Release: David Rankin
26 June 2006
Iwi leader calls for gang restraint over twins’ death
Nga Puhi leader David Rankin has called for gang members not to take the law into their own hands over the recent deaths of the three-month-old twins in South Auckland.
Mr Rankin has been approached by two gang representatives who have stated their wish to pursue muru (Maori justice) against those present when the twins were fatally injured.
‘I have urged them to allow the Pakeha justice system to take its course’, says Mr. Rankin, ‘but every day that passes, the desire for utu (revenge) is intensifying. I believe it is just a matter of time before gang retribution takes place’, he says.
Mr. Rankin wishes to urge the family at the centre of the investigations to cooperate fully with the Police for fear that if they do not, Maori forms of justice might start to appear.
‘My main concern is that no more harm is done’, says Mr. Rankin, ‘but it is getting to the point where preventing further violence will be like trying to holds back a tidal wave’
Monday, 26 June 2006, 2:08 pm
Press Release: David Rankin
26 June 2006
Iwi leader calls for gang restraint over twins’ death
Nga Puhi leader David Rankin has called for gang members not to take the law into their own hands over the recent deaths of the three-month-old twins in South Auckland.
Mr Rankin has been approached by two gang representatives who have stated their wish to pursue muru (Maori justice) against those present when the twins were fatally injured.
‘I have urged them to allow the Pakeha justice system to take its course’, says Mr. Rankin, ‘but every day that passes, the desire for utu (revenge) is intensifying. I believe it is just a matter of time before gang retribution takes place’, he says.
Mr. Rankin wishes to urge the family at the centre of the investigations to cooperate fully with the Police for fear that if they do not, Maori forms of justice might start to appear.
‘My main concern is that no more harm is done’, says Mr. Rankin, ‘but it is getting to the point where preventing further violence will be like trying to holds back a tidal wave’
Some insight
Deborah Coddington, Wellington host for NewstalkZB this week, interviewed Police Association head, Greg O'Connor about the Kahui business. He was unsurprised at the "circling the wagons" tactic. The police see this all the time with Black Power and Mongrel Mob. Obviously the practice has filtered down. What he suggests could be going on is the family are sorting out who will take the rap. Getting the facts of the matter will be incredibly difficult.
Corporate welfare
This is fairly staggering.
Businesses are receiving up to $17,000 from taxpayers for each beneficiary they employ, but Work and Income cannot say how many are kept on after the 12-month subsidy ends. The Job Plus scheme has subsidised the wages of 123,000 beneficiaries working as labourers, restaurant staff, builders, salespeople and machinery operators since it began in 1998. The scheme provides up to $214 a week for every participant.
I can't work out how $214 x 52 becomes $17,000 but anyway....is there any check on whether the subsidised employers keep the ex-beneficiary after the year-long subsidy ends?
According to Ray Smith, deputy CE of the Ministry of Social Development, "Our overall measure isn't whether the employers hang on to the individual, it's whether or not they come back on to a benefit".
If it became apparent that an employer was regularly accessing Job Plus and not providing work after the subsidy ended then Work and Income "would stop working with them".
Stop working with them. That's reassuring.
Businesses are receiving up to $17,000 from taxpayers for each beneficiary they employ, but Work and Income cannot say how many are kept on after the 12-month subsidy ends. The Job Plus scheme has subsidised the wages of 123,000 beneficiaries working as labourers, restaurant staff, builders, salespeople and machinery operators since it began in 1998. The scheme provides up to $214 a week for every participant.
I can't work out how $214 x 52 becomes $17,000 but anyway....is there any check on whether the subsidised employers keep the ex-beneficiary after the year-long subsidy ends?
According to Ray Smith, deputy CE of the Ministry of Social Development, "Our overall measure isn't whether the employers hang on to the individual, it's whether or not they come back on to a benefit".
If it became apparent that an employer was regularly accessing Job Plus and not providing work after the subsidy ended then Work and Income "would stop working with them".
Stop working with them. That's reassuring.
Gender-bias
The civil service seem obsessed with such concepts, to the point where they will pay $121,000 for a "gender-neutral job evaluation tool".
According to Stuff, The work being done was designed to ensure the evaluation was not gender-biased.
Not that I want any more tax-payer money thrown down the drain but the Ministry of Social Development could do with a "gender-neutral employment evaluation tool".
6324 (2006). Katherine Rich to the Minister for Social Development and Employment (31 May 2006): How many policy analysts does the Ministry employ broken down by gender?
Hon David Benson-Pope (Minister for Social Development and Employment) replied: As at the end of April 2006, the Ministry of Social Development employed 154 policy analysts of whom 103 were female and 51 male.
Then again, as long as the bias is running in the "right" direction, it's probably okay. You can breathe a sigh of relief.
According to Stuff, The work being done was designed to ensure the evaluation was not gender-biased.
Not that I want any more tax-payer money thrown down the drain but the Ministry of Social Development could do with a "gender-neutral employment evaluation tool".
6324 (2006). Katherine Rich to the Minister for Social Development and Employment (31 May 2006): How many policy analysts does the Ministry employ broken down by gender?
Hon David Benson-Pope (Minister for Social Development and Employment) replied: As at the end of April 2006, the Ministry of Social Development employed 154 policy analysts of whom 103 were female and 51 male.
Then again, as long as the bias is running in the "right" direction, it's probably okay. You can breathe a sigh of relief.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Another major excuse-maker
Please read the link in the following post and then come back to this.
Tariana Turia says resources inadequate
The Maori Party believes inadequate resources are partly to blame for the country's appalling child abuse record.
Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the case of the Kahui twins highlights a group of people who have become marginalised.
Mrs Turia says she has shed many tears over the deaths of three-month-olds Cru and Chris Kahui, a week ago today.
She says the case points up the need for better understanding of families under pressure.
Tariana Turia says privacy laws are also a problem, because government agencies are often afraid to share information about families in trouble.
Alan Duff has a different viewpoint. He has no time for the current Maori leadership, particularly Tariana Turia. In this interview from Friday he says, "I have a theory. I believe all this excuse mongering has been going on so long we are believing it. Each bunch of do-gooders and absolvers lower the bar further."
Shame on Tariana Turia.
Tariana Turia says resources inadequate
The Maori Party believes inadequate resources are partly to blame for the country's appalling child abuse record.
Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the case of the Kahui twins highlights a group of people who have become marginalised.
Mrs Turia says she has shed many tears over the deaths of three-month-olds Cru and Chris Kahui, a week ago today.
She says the case points up the need for better understanding of families under pressure.
Tariana Turia says privacy laws are also a problem, because government agencies are often afraid to share information about families in trouble.
Alan Duff has a different viewpoint. He has no time for the current Maori leadership, particularly Tariana Turia. In this interview from Friday he says, "I have a theory. I believe all this excuse mongering has been going on so long we are believing it. Each bunch of do-gooders and absolvers lower the bar further."
Shame on Tariana Turia.
Typical
There seemed to be somthing amiss. This morning I read the mother of the Kahui twins is 27. The twins can't possibly have been her first birth, I thought. It doesn't fit with the profile.
Sure enough. She has had four other children. A former partner has them. If you need any more convincing that an underclass exists in this country read this;
(Note. The underclass is not confined to Maori).
Sure enough. She has had four other children. A former partner has them. If you need any more convincing that an underclass exists in this country read this;
(Note. The underclass is not confined to Maori).
Paradise lost........
People are sometimes tempted to believe New Zealand in the fifties and sixties was some sort of paradise, especially after a week like the last. But every period had its problems.
The following excerpts are from the Investors Chronicle written by a London correspondent in November 1959. He appraises New Zealand as a place to invest:
"It would be idle to pretend that everything is perfect in New Zealand. There are some big snags unadvertised, but definitely there is in every new country. New Zealand is no exception. Tucked away at one end of the world, it undoubtedly has a small-town outlook and its Governments of whatever party tend to grind out dreary 19th centuryish radicalism. It is under-populated with 2,500,000 inhabitants. Its potential has not yet been really tapped and the country remains primarily agricultural and pastoral".
Referring to the upward trend in brewery shares since the war, the correspondent says this has occurred in the face of considerable adversity, much of it artificial. The two big breweries still have to contend with a poll every three years for or against Prohibition, hamfisted hotel price control, and last year the doubling in one go of duty on beer. In spite of all this the rise in their shares has been almost sensational.
"Even these performances could have been bettered were it not for a drab egalitarianism which abhors the idea of luxury hotels and so prevents New Zealand with its magnificent scenery from being properly opened as a tourist resort," the correspondent continues.
"The balance of payments is a perennial worry to New Zealand. Last year things became really critical and the Government faced with the necessity of doing something desperate however unpopular, jumped up taxation in a big way, slashed import quotas and borrowed a lot of money abroad. However this year the terms of trade turned more favourable and the Government measures have been shown to be more panicky than wise. The extra taxation has proved crippling and has produced more income than was really necessary. Strict import quotas only lead to dishonesty and foreign credits were found to be larger than required."
"With an election in the offing next November, the Government could not admit to having been wrong and little was done to put matters right in the last Budget, so New Zealand has now supplanted the United Kingdom in the unenviable position of being the most heavily taxed country in the Commonwealth."
The following excerpts are from the Investors Chronicle written by a London correspondent in November 1959. He appraises New Zealand as a place to invest:
"It would be idle to pretend that everything is perfect in New Zealand. There are some big snags unadvertised, but definitely there is in every new country. New Zealand is no exception. Tucked away at one end of the world, it undoubtedly has a small-town outlook and its Governments of whatever party tend to grind out dreary 19th centuryish radicalism. It is under-populated with 2,500,000 inhabitants. Its potential has not yet been really tapped and the country remains primarily agricultural and pastoral".
Referring to the upward trend in brewery shares since the war, the correspondent says this has occurred in the face of considerable adversity, much of it artificial. The two big breweries still have to contend with a poll every three years for or against Prohibition, hamfisted hotel price control, and last year the doubling in one go of duty on beer. In spite of all this the rise in their shares has been almost sensational.
"Even these performances could have been bettered were it not for a drab egalitarianism which abhors the idea of luxury hotels and so prevents New Zealand with its magnificent scenery from being properly opened as a tourist resort," the correspondent continues.
"The balance of payments is a perennial worry to New Zealand. Last year things became really critical and the Government faced with the necessity of doing something desperate however unpopular, jumped up taxation in a big way, slashed import quotas and borrowed a lot of money abroad. However this year the terms of trade turned more favourable and the Government measures have been shown to be more panicky than wise. The extra taxation has proved crippling and has produced more income than was really necessary. Strict import quotas only lead to dishonesty and foreign credits were found to be larger than required."
"With an election in the offing next November, the Government could not admit to having been wrong and little was done to put matters right in the last Budget, so New Zealand has now supplanted the United Kingdom in the unenviable position of being the most heavily taxed country in the Commonwealth."
Agree?
This is from the SST Denis Dutton's "Arts & Letters Daily".
I agree about the "spite and aggression" and thankfully, and thank you to readers of this blog, we don't get much of it here. Most comments of this type are easy to ignore because they say more about the mentality of the poster than the merit of their ideas.
Letters-to-the-editor aside, where there is a lack of immediacy and no guarantee of publication, newspapers aren't interactive. Just as talkback radio took off and is now a firmly established part of the media culture, blogs have a similar future. People want interaction. They want to be able to express their own view and hear others, though I suspect the first is more important.
As an "alternative venue" for testing riskier ideas, blogs have no parallel.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Finding excuses
Pita Sharples has got involved in the Kahui case.
On TV3 last night he very upset that people were "Blaming Maori as though we are all responsible for what a Maori does." As an individualist I am sympathetic to this viewpoint. I wouldn't want to be blamed for what Donna Awatere-Huata did because she is a woman and so am I, or she was an ACT member and so am I.
But from the DomPost this morning, he said non-cooperation was a "cultural thing" relating to the family being dysfunctional and dispossessed.
Well now he is taking the opposite tack. Only a Maori family would have reasons of 'culture' and 'dispossession' put up for their actions. These are collective excuses.
If Sharples is going to promulgate them then he'll have to put up with the consequences.
On TV3 last night he very upset that people were "Blaming Maori as though we are all responsible for what a Maori does." As an individualist I am sympathetic to this viewpoint. I wouldn't want to be blamed for what Donna Awatere-Huata did because she is a woman and so am I, or she was an ACT member and so am I.
But from the DomPost this morning, he said non-cooperation was a "cultural thing" relating to the family being dysfunctional and dispossessed.
Well now he is taking the opposite tack. Only a Maori family would have reasons of 'culture' and 'dispossession' put up for their actions. These are collective excuses.
If Sharples is going to promulgate them then he'll have to put up with the consequences.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Unpaid fines? Be warned!
Just heard a advertisement on radio saying if you don't want to see your name published in the newspaper then you better pay your fines. You wouldn't want your mum or your friends to know, the voice suggested. Do you think fine-dodgers will give a stuff? For that matter, with speed cameras widely believed to be a revenue gathering exercise, is there any particular stigma attached anyway? That's going to be one very big advertisement.
A very angry community
This morning Paul Holmes was doing one of his question and answer routines which, for those who don't listen, is a monologue with himself. "Is there growing community anger about the Kahui twins?" "OhhhhYesss"
With the latest press conference this afternoon revealing the family met after the twins had been taken to hospital and collectively decided not to co-operate with police enquiries, the issue is approaching boiling point. Apparently Pita Sharples is trying to reason with them.
With the latest press conference this afternoon revealing the family met after the twins had been taken to hospital and collectively decided not to co-operate with police enquiries, the issue is approaching boiling point. Apparently Pita Sharples is trying to reason with them.
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.
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.
radio host for a week
Ex ACT MP, Deborah Coddington is hosting Justin du Fresne's NewstalkZB show next week. (Unless she is hosting Leighton Smith's programme and we are getting the Auckland broadcast which is what usually happens when Justin is away.)
"What ridiculous lawmaking is that?"
The Timaru Herald describes the practical difficulties with enforcing the micro-chipping legislation as it stands. But not before asking the question on thinking people's minds;
Wednesday night's vote on dog microchipping shows just what an ass the legislation is. The Green Party MPs who voted to exempt working dogs did so not with that aim, but to make microchipping as a whole unworkable. What ridiculous lawmaking is that?
Wednesday night's vote on dog microchipping shows just what an ass the legislation is. The Green Party MPs who voted to exempt working dogs did so not with that aim, but to make microchipping as a whole unworkable. What ridiculous lawmaking is that?
Sad loss
It is very sad news that Dave Bowman has passed away. Dave was a very public face fighting for the funding of cancer treatment. I sometimes heard him on the radio and watched the Inside New Zealand programme he made. It is amazing what some people can achieve even with deteriorating health. He certainly made sense of his losing his life prematurely. But it must be very hard for his young family.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
I don't care about people in prison....
Well, actually, I do. Believe it or not I have a strong humanitarian streak and find it very hard not to find some saving grace in most people. So let me put that in context. I don't care about people in prison as much as I care about people not in prison. So if we can protect law-abiding people from thugs by locking them up - the thugs that is - well I'm all for it. Here David Green makes the case for building more prisons. The same reasoning can be applied to the New Zealand situation.
(Thanks to The Welfare State We're In for the link)
(Thanks to The Welfare State We're In for the link)
Let the bribes begin
What will they think of to bribe voters with next?
Forget "free" doctors visits, free childcare, free school milk. Think free PC pornography filters. That's what the Federal government of Australia is promising.
Another compelling reason to pack our bags? I think not.
Forget "free" doctors visits, free childcare, free school milk. Think free PC pornography filters. That's what the Federal government of Australia is promising.
Another compelling reason to pack our bags? I think not.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
What went wrong?
My thoughts have crystallised over the past few days. Welfare alone can't be blamed for the underclass that creates tragedies like the deaths of the Kahui twins. But it has a damn lot to do with matters;
A teenage Maori girl had just miscarried. It was suggested her mother made sure she was given contraceptives to prevent a recurrence of another unwanted pregnancy. "No point," came the answer. Why? Because she won't use them. Her and her mates are mad on having babies.
The girl has no job, no qualifications, no partner, no secure home. Her own family distrusts her because she is a compulsive liar.
But as sure as summer yields to autumn, this girl will become a mother. From her viewpoint it's a rational decision. She can sign up for the DPB, get priority for a state house and play mum. Of course, she'll still want to party with her mates of both sexes. She knows none of the discipline or sacrifice that bringing up a child requires. She has never learnt either.
This one is not going to be a good mother. Yet around the late 1960s an idea developed that all children, without exception, are better off with their birth mothers. The wave of opposition to adoption grew. Taking babies away from their birth mothers came to be seen as almost barbaric.
During the fifties and sixties a young mother could choose to keep her child. There were emergency sickness benefits which covered her for a few months while she breastfed the baby. But ultimately she would need family support, or work to pay for childcare, in order to keep her child.
From 1968 to 1972 a benefit called the domestic purposes emergency benefit became available. The social security department could grant this at their discretion. But in 1973 that benefit became statutory, which meant any single parent qualified - no questions asked. The reason for their single parenthood no longer had any bearing on whether the state would assist them.
Adoptions plummetted. Homes for unmarried mothers were no longer needed. The ex-nuptial birthrate soared. This was the new utopia feminists had pushed for.
By the early eighties street kids started to dominate the headlines. Hundreds were reckoned to be living rough in Auckland, in parks and derelict buildings. Many turned to crime and girls often became pregnant.
By 1982 the National Council of Women were advocating adult guardians for teenage mums whose own parents had abdicated any responsibility for. The first generation of children kept by mothers without the emotional or financial wherewithal to parent properly was already repeating the cycle.
Many of the worst cases of violence against children happen to those born to very young mums who continue to have a series of partners and more children by them. Their homes are chaotic and unkempt as are their children. The parent and her mates go on living just as they did before they brought the babies home. Their role as "carers" is a total misnomer because very little caring is going on. Often gang members are involved, tagging on to the mother's steady benefit income and cheap housing.
The lifestyle isn't confined to Maori although it seems to hold more appeal to this ethnic group than others. Newborns going into these "homes" are the acutely vulnerable. Researchers who analysed data from the nineties found children from DPB homes were four times more likely to become the subject of a CYF care and protection notification.
Everybody who works in the social services area can provide too much anecdotal evidence that the cycle of deprivation and depravation is driven, in part, by policy that encourages children to bear children. The idea that all birth mothers, without exception, are the best people to bring up their babies has had tragic consequences.
We must reconsider. While adoption might not have been ideal what we swapped it for has proven far worse for too many children.
A teenage Maori girl had just miscarried. It was suggested her mother made sure she was given contraceptives to prevent a recurrence of another unwanted pregnancy. "No point," came the answer. Why? Because she won't use them. Her and her mates are mad on having babies.
The girl has no job, no qualifications, no partner, no secure home. Her own family distrusts her because she is a compulsive liar.
But as sure as summer yields to autumn, this girl will become a mother. From her viewpoint it's a rational decision. She can sign up for the DPB, get priority for a state house and play mum. Of course, she'll still want to party with her mates of both sexes. She knows none of the discipline or sacrifice that bringing up a child requires. She has never learnt either.
This one is not going to be a good mother. Yet around the late 1960s an idea developed that all children, without exception, are better off with their birth mothers. The wave of opposition to adoption grew. Taking babies away from their birth mothers came to be seen as almost barbaric.
During the fifties and sixties a young mother could choose to keep her child. There were emergency sickness benefits which covered her for a few months while she breastfed the baby. But ultimately she would need family support, or work to pay for childcare, in order to keep her child.
From 1968 to 1972 a benefit called the domestic purposes emergency benefit became available. The social security department could grant this at their discretion. But in 1973 that benefit became statutory, which meant any single parent qualified - no questions asked. The reason for their single parenthood no longer had any bearing on whether the state would assist them.
Adoptions plummetted. Homes for unmarried mothers were no longer needed. The ex-nuptial birthrate soared. This was the new utopia feminists had pushed for.
By the early eighties street kids started to dominate the headlines. Hundreds were reckoned to be living rough in Auckland, in parks and derelict buildings. Many turned to crime and girls often became pregnant.
By 1982 the National Council of Women were advocating adult guardians for teenage mums whose own parents had abdicated any responsibility for. The first generation of children kept by mothers without the emotional or financial wherewithal to parent properly was already repeating the cycle.
Many of the worst cases of violence against children happen to those born to very young mums who continue to have a series of partners and more children by them. Their homes are chaotic and unkempt as are their children. The parent and her mates go on living just as they did before they brought the babies home. Their role as "carers" is a total misnomer because very little caring is going on. Often gang members are involved, tagging on to the mother's steady benefit income and cheap housing.
The lifestyle isn't confined to Maori although it seems to hold more appeal to this ethnic group than others. Newborns going into these "homes" are the acutely vulnerable. Researchers who analysed data from the nineties found children from DPB homes were four times more likely to become the subject of a CYF care and protection notification.
Everybody who works in the social services area can provide too much anecdotal evidence that the cycle of deprivation and depravation is driven, in part, by policy that encourages children to bear children. The idea that all birth mothers, without exception, are the best people to bring up their babies has had tragic consequences.
We must reconsider. While adoption might not have been ideal what we swapped it for has proven far worse for too many children.
Shocker story from the UK
This is a shocker.
A 43 year-old British women who contracted HIV from an Afro-Carribean man went on a "mission" to infect as many other men of the same ethnicity as possible. She has been jailed for 32 months. Spare a thought for her son.
A 43 year-old British women who contracted HIV from an Afro-Carribean man went on a "mission" to infect as many other men of the same ethnicity as possible. She has been jailed for 32 months. Spare a thought for her son.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Shame
So now we know that the Kahui house was a "party" house. Neighbours said it was difficult to tell how many people lived there because so many came and went. A small house which could have no more than three bedrooms with a media-reported 9 people living there. Broken windows, banged up boards, loud music. It makes me ill to know that two exceedingly vulnerable babies were taken to live there.
What do you notice about this photo? It was taken in the 1950s at a Salvation Army home for unmarried mothers. I imagine most of these babies would have been adopted out. At that time a mother could only get an emergency sickness benefit for a few months while she breastfed the child, and less frequently, a longer term unemployment benefit was granted, but ultimately if she wanted to keep her child she had to make her own arrangements either with family support or care paid for while she worked. Be honest. Have we really improved matters with the statutory DPB?
More women in prison
The "soaring" female prison population is something I have been aware of for some time. Criminologist Greg Newbold's comment is really interesting and in keeping with a tendency he has to pour oil on troubled waters.
"The female population tends to be very volatile because it is quite small. There have been more women in prison, but there have been a lot more men in prison, too," he said.
Women's imprisonment rates had been higher in the 1940s and the 1880s, when they reached 16% of the total prison population, so the current situation should not be alarming, he said.
Now this is sheer speculation from me but in the 1940's the male population was severely depleted on the back of WW11. In the 1880s prostitution and drunkeness were rife. The Women's temperance movement was the reaction to this.
Comparing 2006 to the 1880s is probably more useful than to the 1940s.
"The female population tends to be very volatile because it is quite small. There have been more women in prison, but there have been a lot more men in prison, too," he said.
Women's imprisonment rates had been higher in the 1940s and the 1880s, when they reached 16% of the total prison population, so the current situation should not be alarming, he said.
Now this is sheer speculation from me but in the 1940's the male population was severely depleted on the back of WW11. In the 1880s prostitution and drunkeness were rife. The Women's temperance movement was the reaction to this.
Comparing 2006 to the 1880s is probably more useful than to the 1940s.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Contemplating pregnancy on a benefit
The New Zealand Medical Association deputy chairman, Don Simmers, today said that too many women are contemplating pregnancy on a benefit.
Statistics show that thousands of babies are born onto benefits each year. At July last year 26,126 children had been added to a current benefit.
This isn't just a matter of contraception failure. Anecdotal evidence says many of these babies have been planned. It is encouraging to hear Dr Simmers confirming his. With contraception highly accessible there can be no other explanation for this high rate of child-bearing on a benefit.
Too many women with tobacco, alcohol and drug habits which lead to benefit dependency are busy planning their next meal ticket. It is a crazy welfare system that encourages this by paying more cash with each child produced.
Statistics show that thousands of babies are born onto benefits each year. At July last year 26,126 children had been added to a current benefit.
This isn't just a matter of contraception failure. Anecdotal evidence says many of these babies have been planned. It is encouraging to hear Dr Simmers confirming his. With contraception highly accessible there can be no other explanation for this high rate of child-bearing on a benefit.
Too many women with tobacco, alcohol and drug habits which lead to benefit dependency are busy planning their next meal ticket. It is a crazy welfare system that encourages this by paying more cash with each child produced.
War on drugs "long lost"
Increasingly experts are lending legitimacy to the idea that the war on drugs is highly questionable. Here a former deputy chief constable declares the Scottish war on drugs is "long lost." Tom Wood now holds the "influential post of chairman of the Scottish Association of Alcohol and Drug Action Teams, a body which advises the Executive on future policy".
"In order to make a difference in the long term, education and deterrence have to go to the top of the pile. We have to have the courage and commitment to admit that we have not tackled the problem successfully in the past. We have to win the arguments and persuade young people that drugs are best avoided."
"In order to make a difference in the long term, education and deterrence have to go to the top of the pile. We have to have the courage and commitment to admit that we have not tackled the problem successfully in the past. We have to win the arguments and persuade young people that drugs are best avoided."
Foreign doctors
According to the College of Practitioners 34 percent of New Zealand GPs are trained overseas and the rural sector would collapse without them. Let's hear it for foreign doctors.
Assimilate or else....
The Dutch are considering introducing a very tough knowledge test for immigrants which would involve 600 hours of course-work. Amongst other subjects it would educate about Holland's traditionally liberal attitudes towards abortion, euthanasia and homosexuality. For those who do not pass, fines, cuts in benefits or termination of residence are proposed. In a population of about 16 million there are around 1.5 million immigrants.
School "fees"
Apparently the Ministry of Education is looking at changing rules about how schools extract donations. Donations must not be called "fees". Pressure must not be put on parents.
Mr English said the Government would be better off being honest with parents and admitting that free education was no longer a reality and that the costs were instead shared by the Government, parents and the community.
That's not really honest either. Free education was never a reality. The only people whose kids are getting a free education are those who are effectively not paying tax. With all the increased redistribution under Labour there should be more money available for school fees and donations.
Mr English said the Government would be better off being honest with parents and admitting that free education was no longer a reality and that the costs were instead shared by the Government, parents and the community.
That's not really honest either. Free education was never a reality. The only people whose kids are getting a free education are those who are effectively not paying tax. With all the increased redistribution under Labour there should be more money available for school fees and donations.
Mapp's bill will sink
Looks like Wayne Mapp's employment bill, which would see a 90-day probationary period introduced, has sunk. Pita Sharples is voting against it. That is a damn shame. A probationary period would have helped Maori in particular get a foot in the door. Without it there will be fewer opportunities.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Another unnecessary, tragic death
Ironically, while I have been talking about the hysteria over child abuse, another baby has died from head injuries which appear to have been the result of assault.
Latest political polling
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – More voters in New Zealand are voicing support for the opposition National party, according to a poll by Roy Morgan International. 44.5 per cent of respondents would vote for National in the next election, while 40 cent would back the governing Labour party.
The Greens are in third place with 6.5 per cent, followed by New Zealand First with 4.5 per cent, United Future with two per cent, ACT with 1.5 per cent, and the Maori Party with one per cent.
I wonder what is behind that poor Maori Party result? The tobacco ban? Or, with the margin of error, is it just not significant?
The Greens are in third place with 6.5 per cent, followed by New Zealand First with 4.5 per cent, United Future with two per cent, ACT with 1.5 per cent, and the Maori Party with one per cent.
I wonder what is behind that poor Maori Party result? The tobacco ban? Or, with the margin of error, is it just not significant?
"Problems with images"
Following on from yesterday's post about the climate of hysteria surrounding child abuse, here's another hair-raising story, this time out of Florida and this time, a recent occurrence. A nanny was arrested and held in prison for two years after secret camera footage appeared to show her shaking a baby in her care. The baby had no injuries and the nanny has never been taken to trial or convicted. She is now suing the camera manufacturer;
In March, Broward County prosecutors said experts they had consulted concluded the footage was not reliable as evidence because its videotape was time-lapsed, meaning that the movements that appeared to be rough shaking might not have been as violent as they appeared.
Robert McKee, Muro's civil attorney, said the footage was misleading and consumers should be warned about problems with the images.
As an afterthought, the phrase "problems with images" reminded me of these TV images of Resident Doctor's Association secretary, Deborah Powell, used by the DomPost yesterday. It seems obvious the conveyance of a certain impression was intended;
The three photos on the left-right diagonal are quite distorted and reminiscent of a particular image which I will not post here. But this is a good example of the media exploiting images to suit their slant on matters.
In March, Broward County prosecutors said experts they had consulted concluded the footage was not reliable as evidence because its videotape was time-lapsed, meaning that the movements that appeared to be rough shaking might not have been as violent as they appeared.
Robert McKee, Muro's civil attorney, said the footage was misleading and consumers should be warned about problems with the images.
As an afterthought, the phrase "problems with images" reminded me of these TV images of Resident Doctor's Association secretary, Deborah Powell, used by the DomPost yesterday. It seems obvious the conveyance of a certain impression was intended;
The three photos on the left-right diagonal are quite distorted and reminiscent of a particular image which I will not post here. But this is a good example of the media exploiting images to suit their slant on matters.
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