With popular support, a willing partner and many New Zealanders facing unemployment, now is the time for Labour to overhaul welfare. Instead, it has divided beneficiaries into the ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’
Read MoreWelfare Working Group
Another chance to be transformational rejected... Labour's cautious welfare response
Big benefit increases and cutting sanctions have been recommended by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group, yet the Labour-led government has rejected the groups call for urgency. So is it running out of ways to be transformational this term?
Read MoreQuick thoughts on National's welfare policy
Is National really what it seems on welfare reform? I don't know about you, but I'm getting really mixed messages. I'm also not sure the second child/one year policy will survive the election
Read MoreJohn Key's heart of darkness
Key announces ministerial group to advance welfare reform – welfare to form key part of National's 2011 election campaign – beneficiary bashing to the fore, again
Read MoreCharge of the right brigade
Paula Rebstock is appointed to the ACC Board one day after the resignation of Chief Executive - National lays strong foundations for further ideological assault on ACC
Read MoreRebstock report a little ripper
From eugenics to workfare, the Welfare Working Group report released on Tuesday has the potential to destroy lives, hopes - and our welfare system itself
Read MoreDivine intervention and the Key welfare agenda
Comments from the Prime Minister suggest that the government's willingness to act tough on welfare may go a lot further than many expect
Read MoreSubtle dangers in Paula Rebstock's sugar coated poison
The government Welfare Working Group's 'Options Paper' was released this afternoon. While Paula Rebstock says nothing is decided yet, its overall direction confirms my earlier fears. It could make the 1991 benefit cuts look like a picnic
Read MoreWelfare reform: Do we get tough or take the 'corduroy' option?
As the welfare debate again rises from the grave over the next few weeks, it'll pay to remember that life is messy and keep asking 'where are the jobs?'.
Read MoreWelfare report aftermath – we won't be fooled again
Response to last week's Welfare Working Group report shows that not so many of us are fooled by shonky stats and a new generation of beneficiary bashing rhetoric
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