Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Personalised support for those who need it
Labour recognises there are some New Zealanders who are unable to work, either in the
short or in the long term. Labour is committed to understanding and responding to people‟s
individual circumstances.
On the other hand, more people receiving sickness benefits and invalid‟s benefits are saying
they would like the opportunity to participate in paid work, training or other activities. We
want to engage with these individuals to help them fulfill their potential.
Labour will focus on increasing the proportion of disabled people who are supported
into paid work.
We remain committed to offering those who are sick or disabled, or who have caring
responsibilities, the support and services they need to live active and fulfilling lives.
Labour will ensure that the Invalid‟s Benefit is named more appropriately and
continues to be paid at a higher level than short term benefits, and that that the
Disability Allowance is available to continue to meet direct additional costs.
Labour also believes that care is work, and that parenting is some of the most crucial work
ever done. We don‟t believe the only good parent is a parent in paid work, or that raising
children is just a handicap parents need to escape from in order to be productive.
We are fundamentally opposed to the National Government‟s Future Focus legislation and
have serious concerns about the changes to the Sickness and Invalid‟s benefit.
Labour believes that welfare reform should ensure that help is made available to
those who need it and that an intensive case management system exists to ensure
that the different needs of individuals are taken into account.
Under Labour the number of people on the unemployment benefit was significantly reduced
and that was because people had jobs to go to. In times of economic instability the
government has a role to ensure that jobs are created and that, where jobs are not available,
support is available to those who need it.
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