9. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
How many families are benefiting from Working for Families?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
At the end of September of this year some 290,000 New Zealand families were receiving Working for Families tax credits. It is predicted that by the end of the tax year, 360,000 families will benefit from the tax credits—that is three out of four New Zealand families with children.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
What has been the impact of Working for Families on working families with children?
Working for Families makes it easier for New Zealand families to be in paid work and raise a family. It has increased family incomes. A couple earning $45,000 a year with two young children is now $7,000 a year better off. A couple earning $90,000 with four children is over $6,000 a year better off. It is making a real difference for real people, like Sophie Read from Dunedin. She recently started her career following some time on the domestic purposes benefit. Working for Families has made her better off by more than $150 a week. Alongside other Labour-led Government initiatives such as paid parental leave, free early childhood education for 3 and 4-year-olds, reduced doctors’ visit fees, and reduced prescription charges, Working for Families is enabling New Zealanders to make choices about working and caring that best meet their family needs.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
What reports has the Minister seen regarding support for the Working for Families package?
I have seen many supportive reports, and I have also seen some conflicting reports. For example, in November 2005 there was the declaration: “National members will be opposing this legislation with every bone in our bodies.”; then, just 2 years later: “I like the fact that families get more because they face substantial costs. We have made it clear, we are not planning to make changes to Working for Families that would make people worse off.” That is despite the fact that just 2 months earlier at the National Party conference the leader had said exactly the opposite. That report suggested cutting Working for Families, with proposals that would lead to 60,000 families completely losing their Working for Families support. They are all different statements from the leader of the National Party, demonstrating his usual flip-flopping. Meanwhile our Government is getting on with the real business of providing real opportunities for New Zealand families to get ahead.