What are you spending your Cost of Living Payment on?

[Lilith7]

Oh gee -the ever caring Paula Bennett is concerned that the cost of living payment isn't really enough - how nice of her to mention the peasants. But then, she's always been so very, very deeply concerned with the plight of beneficiaries hasn't she.

Or something.



https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/...-says.html

"Former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett says Kiwis on benefits should be receiving the cost of living payment.

Kiwis started receiving the payment of $116.67 - the first of three - on Monday with the second and third portions coming on the first business days of September and October.

It works out at $350 and will go to Kiwis who earn $70,000 or less, aren't entitled to the Winter Energy Payment and meet several other criteria - roughly 2.1 million New Zealanders.

"I think they need it more than anyone. I mean we are all feeling the pinch. It doesn't matter what you are earning, you are feeling it when you go to fill up the car and when you go to buy your groceries," she told AM.

"Then you think about other people on such limited incomes who will be struggling so much more than you are and quite frankly my personal opinion is if anyone kind of needs a temporary payment at the moment with those exuberant costs it's those on the benefit."


She retired from Parliament in May 2020, but during her tenure had some controversial policies regarding beneficiaries.

She oversaw a crackdown on welfare, including requirements for single mothers to return to work or face sanctions, and sanctions for those who don't meet drug and alcohol work test requirements.

The National-led Government announced a major package of welfare reforms in 2010 aimed at solo parents, who it said should go back to work.

Bennett said that for some beneficiaries "the dream is over".

That is why the nickname of Paula Benefit 

Yes indeed - & of course, those two other nicknames for Jenny Shipley & Ruth Richardson which weren't quite so nice.