When we talk about paid work, we don’t concentrate on the few that rip off their boss or cheat on their taxes, as these are the minor few. It is the same with beneficiaries or any group of people. There will be a small percentage of unsavoury people, but these should never be our focus. Instead, we need to look at the majority of lovely people and what they need to function. If we start looking at whether people are deserving before ensuring they have enough money for food and accommodation, we become part of that small percent that are not helping, but are making things worse for everyone. We don’t want to be part of the problem we want to be part of the solution.
This is the same when we are looking at overhauling the welfare system, it should be designed for the majority rather than concentrating on the <1% people as mentioned above. We need to look at how we can make things better and concentrate on the good we can do.
We will therefore, in addition to the BAS’ Vision for the Future media releases concentrating on individual issues, be compiling our own list on changes we suggest for the Welfare overhaul. The aim of this is to return the Welfare system to its original purpose of ensuring all New Zealanders have sufficient income for their needs and can live with dignity in our society.
