Author: Hon. Assoc. Prof. Susan St. John

What a week. But while National’s woes dominate, who is noticing the erosion of democracy and the exclusionary politics that Labour is busy promoting?

I look forward to reading Max Rashbrooke’s latest book ‘Too much money” It is past time we had the public debate about the divisive and unsustainable inequality that has been driven by our low-tax, free-market system. Solutions will require vision, bravery and leadership.

The long promised WFF review has been conducted under wraps, all discussion and meetings in secret and with no consultation, least of all with those affected.  While we can now see from the OIAs the direction of bureaucratic thinking, between the annoying redactions that is, it does not impress with either its vision or basic logic.

How should I respond to Chris Trotter’s cynical summary of why it is pointless to rail against Labour’s lack of gumption in addressing the distressing wealth and income divisions that result in damaging and entrenched poverty? 

Every day the news just get gets worse. Reports are coming out thick and fast about families at the end of their tether with no food and needing urgent help in this lockdown. 

Many of us were brought up on the myth of egalitarianism and the superiority of New Zealand’s treatment of women….

We acknowledge the good work of government keeping us safe in the pandemic, BUT we are facing a pandemic of poverty that has been intensified by COVID.

The long overdue review of Working for Families  has been signalled as part of the Government welfare overhaul work programme.   

So today is International womens day. Before we celebrate, spare a thought for the  mothers stuck under the lowest of all povery lines.

The deficiencies of WFF are apparent in this recession as families who become poor enough to qualify for welfare benefit also suffer a significant cut in WFF for their children.