Four people who’ve never voted or voted but didn’t care sit in a room and learn about politics, so you don’t have to. This week: Welfare, benefits, and entitlements
LABOUR
-Have been critical of the coalition government’s changes to welfare and benefits such as Temporary Additional Support and the upping of the minimum income contribution for those receiving the Income-Related Rent Subsidy.
-Have historically supported a robust welfare scheme
-Campaigning on three free doctors’ visits a year for kiwi citizens. Would introduce a medicard for these three visits as well as free cervical screening for people aged 26-69.
“We need a welfare system that recognises that kicking people when they are down is no way to help them back onto their feet.” – Chris Hipkins
ACT
-Campaigned against what they call “Welfare & Benefit dependency”
-Championed the now implemented ‘Electronic income management’, which sanctions jobseeker receivers that they do not feel are taking the steps to find work have a portion of their funds redirected to a card which can only be used to purchase certain items at certain stores
-Is campaigning for the upcoming election on introducing a five-year stand-down period for all residence class visa holders to access social welfare
-“Taxpayers don’t fund benefits to be spent on alcohol or entertainment. So, we’re taking steps to ensure benefits are used responsibly, prioritising families and children while promoting accountability.” – David Seymour
NATIONAL
-Implemented means testing for 18- and 19-year-old Jobseeker beneficiries, making them ineligible if their parents earn over $65,529 per year.
-Jobseeker beneficiaries are now required to reapply every six months.
-Have increased superannuation rates in accordance to cost-of-living increases, and are campaigning on slowly raising the superannuation qualifying age from 65 to 67
-Around 140,000 families with children were able to receive an extra $50 per week as part of the fuel crisis relief package.
-“A National Government will take a different approach to cutting benefit dependency among young people because they and taxpayers are currently being failed.”
GREENS
-Have campaigned on increasing main benefit levels to a livable income and ensuring that any supplementary benefits are ‘sufficient’.
-Would rework ACC to an Agency of Comprehensive Care, providing up to 80% of the minimum wage to those unable to work due to sickness or disability.
-Would introduce $135 payments per week for single parents and remove the benefit penalties the coalition government has put in place
-“Evidence shows that benefit sanctions do not help people into work – and yet [the government] is making the choice to use them, knowing full well it will cause harm.” — Ricardo Menéndez
NZFirst
-Have been incredibly vocal supporters of superannuation and other support for the elderly.
-Have campaigned on restricting jobseeker benefits to a lifetime allowance of two years.
-“In post-COVID New Zealand, support for Kiwis to retain or regain employment is vital. New Zealand First has always believed in the safety net of social welfare but also understands the desire of all Kiwis to have pride in honest employment.” – 2023 Election Policy outline
Te Pāti Māori
– Have campaigned on doubling all benefit rates, pro-social & government assistance, particularly to Māori communities
– Would, like The Greens, remove the benefit penalties and sanctions that the current government has put in place.
– Focus on individualized welfare plans that ensure each beneficiaries specific circumstance is adequately adressed
– “If our whānau are able to feed themselves and put a roof over their head, then they will be well. When they’re well, they can learn, when they learn, they can earn.” – Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
Opportunity Party
–The opportunity party has campaigned on a Universal Basic Income for all New Zealand citizens of $20,000 a year, around $384 a week.
-This UBI would replace Jobseeker benefits and student allowance, though there would be specific adjustments made to superannuation & disability benefits, as well as childcare to replace Working For Families credits
– It would be means tested, party leader Qiulae Wong told Ryan Bridge that “…if you’re on a really high income, you don’t receive it,” so basically, if you’re someone like Neil Quigley it’s means tested.
Response:
Lauren: Again, what the hell is wrong with David Seymour? Every time I think he can’t get any more annoying, he does. Opportunity seems like they’re on a decent track, but to me it seems like it’s a lot to plan at once and there’s lots of ways that could go wrong. I’m liking Labour’s views on medical care. Chris gets it. Shot Chris. (WE’RE PRETTY SURE SHE MEANS HIPKINS)
Filly: I really like what Labour is proposing. The 3 free doctor’s visits a year sounds great and I feel like it would help us greatly financially and heath wise like there been times I have under mind my heath because the doctor was too expensive, however I would also like to see if there is a way to make vision and dentist heath more affordable for people. Also, I’m not sure if is a good idea, but for me what the Opportunity Party is campaigning sounds good to me, but I’m not sure what could be the problems of implementing this.
Zoe: I think we know by now that I support a Universal Basic Income, but aside from that I think that Labour and the Greens have the right idea. I think there’s no point in having a welfare system if it isn’t providing adequate support to those in need. Labour’s idea of having three free doctors’ visits a year would be amazing, but even more amazing would be a fully free healthcare system.
Germaine: I like the sound of labour’s position on welfare. I feel it is balanced and acknowledges the reality that there are people who depend on welfare to make ends meet, especially in today’s economic climate. At the same time, I feel some of the other parties are either too harsh or too liberal on welfare but I’m no expert so take this with a grain of salt.
