Turia: Let's scrap the dole
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Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia wants the dole to be scrapped and replaced with government-subsidised jobs.
Mrs Turia suggested the idea at the party's economic policy launch in the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere yesterday, but it was absent from a breakdown of policies released yesterday and is not supported by either main party.
TV3 News reported last night that when Mrs Turia was asked if she wanted to see the dole scrapped, she said: "Yes. Absolutely. I'm opposed to the dole. I have to be very frank with you - I don't think it is healthy for the spirit of our people, to be getting money for doing nothing."
Mrs Turia said she wanted the next government to return to subsidised "make-work" schemes where people get a community job and are paid a government wage.
"What we need is the government to make work, to get our people back into a strong work ethic."
Mrs Turia said the Maori Party also wanted to set up a community development bank to provide loans to Maori and their small businesses.
A development bank would be funded from money already being channelled to Maori through the Economic Development Ministry.
She said there were small scale examples of community banks in Wanganui where she is MP.
Small businesses owned by Maori found it difficult to access loans to set up and expand.
The Government had proposed setting up a Maori development bank earlier this year, but the legislation failed because the Maori Party and others objected to it being set up from money held by the Maori Trustee.
The Maori Party also called for a reduction in business tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent for all businesses with a net income of under $100,000 year.
Other economic policy includes zero tax on the first $25,000 of earnings and removing GST from food.
The party provided no costings for its policy proposals.
- NZPA
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One would think that with equality in distribution of the multiple zillions that we taxpayers have had wrested from us over the years to settle Treaty claims, there would not be one person claiming to be Maori in the whole country who would be short of the odd few bucks, or would still require assistence in finding a job.
Community jobs sound good to me. Rather than me (the tax payer) paying for someone to sit on their bum watching TV. There are some people who genuinely are looking for realistic work but there are way too many people takikng advantage of the system. Its great to come up with these big ideas but pointless if there is no detail as to how they would be carried out.
Where has all the money given by the Government as Settlements gone ? Why cant they use that and start cleaning maori land and using it instead of growing gorse ?
Good on you Tariana, you need to break the dole cycle, Family's here in Northland have been collecting the Dole for three generations, its a way of life, and the next generation is growing up with the attitude "you don't need to work! why?" Working for your living is deeply gratifying and it will raise the Spirits of the people on the Dole, You'll also notice the ones who rubbish your sentiments, are those who just don't want to work Period.
It's not just maori who get the dole KJ!!!
What about people who are not Maori but also struggle? I think there is a need to help ALL KIWIS not just one group. Why should it just be Maori?
Its impractical to remove tax from the first $25K. It would mean the next dollars over $25K would have to be taxed at double the rate they are now to compensate. While it would be good for those earning $25K and under it would not be so for those earning say $60K.
Good stuff Turiana. Needed to be said and takes guts. You've won my respect and very possibly my vote.
awesome! maybe i'll vote for the Maori party after all.
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Abolish the dole? What? Let me get this straight... she wants to lose the majority of her voters?
What is she thinking.