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To JRT

    SOME PRACTICAL STEPS TO ERADICATE POVERTY IN NZ

    by Bonnie Robinson

    an edited summary from her speech to the Foodbank Conference 1996. Bonnie Robinson is the Executive Officer of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services.

    IF WE ARE TO significantly reduce poverty in NZ, we need:
    1. some immediate policy changes to increase assistance to low-income families,
    2. an attitudinal change so that policies are based on facts and sound research, not myth and prejudice, and
    3. a legislative framework which will ensure all future governments must take social responsibility as seriously as fiscal responsibility.

    Specific Recommendations :

    ON HOUSING

  • A review of current housing policy and an increase in assistance with housing costs.

  • A modest increase in the level of the Accommodation Supplement, and of the regional maxima to improve its adequacy.

  • Income-related rents for Housing NZ tenants.

  • Reinstate social responsibility requirement regarding state houses so that those most in need of housing have the greatest priority.

  • A building programme in areas of need.

  • of the current level of housing stock.

    ON CHILDREN

  • Change the Independent Family Tax Credit to an additional family support payment so that it would be available to all households including beneficiary households, in the form of a grant of $15 per child per week.

    ON INCOME SUPPORT

  • Increase all benefits by a modest amount $20 (except perhaps National Super which might need to be looked at separately).

  • Establish an immediate independent review of benefit levels which will recommend new levels of payment and suggest options to remedy poverty traps.