Protesters summon Paula Bennett
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About a dozen protesters faced the rain today to stick a summons on Social Development Minister Paula Bennett’s door.
The protest, organised by Socialist Aotearoa was over National’s cutting of the Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) and Ms Bennett’s revealing of beneficiaries’ private information.
The mothers said without it they would not be able to continue courses which would help them get jobs.
Ms Bennett has been under fire this week for revealing the welfare payment details of two solo mothers, on benefits, who complained about the Government’s decision to scrap the TIA.
“We think it’s disgraceful that people are trying to scapegoat on the poor and the unemployed and single mothers for the problems in society,” said Socialist Aotearoa member Joe Carolan.
The protesting group, a coalition of community, disabled and trade union groups, was at Ms Bennett’s West Auckland office today. .
“We are in a huge economic crisis at the moment where 50,000 people are going to lose their jobs so we need more support and more training for the unemployed in this period. We need all the help we can get, not to be yet again discriminated against by the Government.
“As a single parent and a student myself I know how hard it is to try and complete some training.
“It’s going to significantly affect my ability to keep studying.”
She said the cut would mean she would not have money for travel, text books and it would affect her ability to afford childcare.”
The summons, stuck on to Ms Bennett’s door, called for her to attend a hearing of “the people’s court” to defend her actions in cutting the TIA and revealing the personal information of the two beneficiaries.”
Ms Ferguson said she would keep studying regardless, but it would be “incredibly difficult.
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The hearing is set for next Saturday, at her office