The Government is seeking to retrospectively change the law to match the Ministry of Social Welfare's practice. Retrospective legislation is bad generally, and very bad in this case.
Read Morebeneficiaries
Beneficiary 'impact' highlights poverty of social policies
Auckland's first-ever beneficiary 'impact' demonstrates poverty of policies as well as of people
Read MoreWhat are you prepared to sacrifice for our kids?
Sacrifice isn't a popular word, but the government green paper on vulnerable children poses some tough questions for all of us. For one, if we're to really help the worst off, are we prepared to stop judging them?
Read MoreThe Rich List: A pat on the back, but national treasures?
The NBR's Rich List today begs us to celebrate the richest of the rich for, well, being rich. Me, I'd like a broader definition of success if it's all the same
Read MoreWelfare crisis: The numbers tell their own story
How many beneficiaries does it take to make a crisis? And what does history tell us? When were benefit numbers at their worst? For all this and more, read on...
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 MoreI still choose to lose the way I like
John Key thinks that people using food banks are engaged in a lifestyle choice. So where's the evidence?
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
Read MoreWelfare: even the debate gets privatised
Second Wellington welfare conference in two weeks locks out all but the wealthy or well-funded
Read MoreJust say no to the Small Poppy Syndrome
The real concern in this country isn't our jealousy of wealth and success, it's our knee-jerk meanness towards those at the bottom of life's heap
Read MoreNational News Brief, Monday October 13
Labour promises deposit guarantee and economic stimulus package; National demands change at campaign launch; Act and United Future launch campaigns; property prices down; beneficiaries get nothing from tax cuts; and more
Read More