Yes, I know what people think of beneficiaries, I have seen it from both sides. I once worked for WINZ, I used to check up on DPB recipients, and from my 8 years in that job, 25% were not entitled, ie living with partners, earning but not declaring, false addresses, multiple identities, you name it. But WINZ cut the number of investigators in half as a budget saver (??!!). There are now BILLIONS of dollars going to waste, but it will cost millions to sort that out. I have been on the invalids for years since then, due to long term health problems which medical science can't sort out. The main problems in this country are the supine government willingly giving our jobs to foreigners because they are too stupid to understand the value of work to New Zealanders. There are plenty of industries waiting to be kick started with government investment, the healthy unemployed can be far better utilised in public works (think the old PEP schemes), let DPB mums provide childcare for others looking for work, come on we should be a community working TOGETHER. This is an emergency, the country needs rebuilding every bit as much as Christchurch. Don't pile up debt for future generations. Workers have a right to see able bodied beneficiaries doing their bit for their country. Other problems are financial organizations able to use fancy accounting to hide debt, the stock market is a fantasy land, Government bailing out banks when they have acted hugely irresponsibly, businesses able to take jobs offshore without having to pay the cost penalty equivalent to keeping jobs in NZ, foreign companies repatriating profits from NZ (including Aussie banks) - all of these costs are more than beneficiaries take out of the economy, but at least they spend it here in NZ, so GST goes back to Government. And yes, liable parents should pay more.

The DPB is discriminatory in that only sole parents get it in the first place. At home partnered parents have no income in their own right. Their partners are taxed as if they were single, i.e. their income is theirs alone. The non-employed at home parent has no legal claim to a share if it. So what are they supposed to live on? If the govt won't extend the DPB to ALL non-employed parents, then at least recognise their partnerships vis-a-vis the tax income sharing Bill!

fascist anti-democratic legislation. Long live the Dole

What most people fail to realise is that there is simply not enough suitable jobs for those on benefits. These work-first policies ignore significant issues such as: 1. Those who stay out of paid work to support dependent family members 2. That sole parents, even if they manage to find a job, usually find this lacking in adequate support for their family 3. That being on a benefit is not a lifestyle choice. In fact research points to the contrary - those on benefits usually take on jobs at the first opportunity they get. One only has to look at the thousands of people who lined up simply for the 160 available jobs at Countdown.

Concerns about dependency and the high cost of welfare is exaggerated, particularly for political purposes - and we seem to be fostering a culture where the mentality of blaming those for their misfortune has become a norm.

Instead what we need is an economic policy that creates suitable jobs for these beneficiaries - ones with flexible hours and long-term prospects, unlike the current low-paid and temporary jobs that, even so, are in high demand.

If a man's wife dies and he is left with children then he goes on the DPB and is work tested. If a wife's husband dies she goes on the WB and is exempt from work testing.

A man cannot go on the WB.

OH YIKES HOW EMBARRASSING!!! EVERY DAY I MARVEL AT THE LACK OF COORDINATION IN THIS GOVERNMENT. C'mon Mr Prime Minister try to be the leader you pretend to be!

when i'm old enough to get the dole i'm gonna do this car up and drive outa here

It not great news for DPB users but WB get secure life and exemption it not fair for those disadvantages as should be balance those situations should be respected as I am concerned this would affect children upbringing and their future need life extension support.

Now we face uncertain future pending Social Assistance (Future Focus) Bill in parliament.

According to National’s reason behind its Welfare Reform Policy, discriminatory against persons on the DPB and other benefits is justified if it serves a greater good. It just so happens that the majority of persons on the benefit are overrepresented by non Europeans who happens to be minority ethnic groups as well as those carrying an ailment of a kind.

Therefore discrimination against minority groups whether by ethnicity or by illness is justified. Thus the National’s Welfare Reform Policy of 2010 by the Min of Social Development Paula Bennett under the rule of none other than the smiling axe man PM is not only a racist policy but also discriminatory against persons with an illness.

Oh boo hoo, discrimination!!! Harden up, people. Welfare isn't an entitlement, it should be there for times of need and for people that actually need it -- not to live off for years!

Why doesn't the government just make up some crappy jobs that people can do, anything to get them out of the house and make them work - like boring office work or hard labour if they're too stupid for that. Roadworks etc. Then they get their benefit/dole payments for that? Better than just sitting around the house all day and doing nothing! At least then it would encourage them to look for a better job. Oh, but that will never happen, will it? Because all the PC do-gooders will be up in arms "It's against their rights!!!1111 Omg!!!"

People in this country need to get real. We are accruing millions of dollars worth of debt a week just to pay for people who are too lazy to work. People think that the government has a never-ending supply of money, and should supply them with everything...but I've got news for you - they don't! It's countries like China that are paying for the cigarettes and alcohol of career beneficiaries, and we're paying it back with HUGE interest. People are so stupid.