MPs' Working For Families Eligibility "Outrageous"

It is outrageous that a Member of Parliament, on a backbencher's salary, might be eligible for "Working for Families" payments, says ACT MP Heather Roy.

"Nobody could argue that our politicians are in financial need, and it's outrageous that Members of Parliament could be able to top up their salary with Working for Families payments", Mrs Roy said.

"I'm disgusted that the Labour government thinks I should be eligible for an extra taxpayer-funded subsidy, just because I have five children.

"Far from being 'tax relief', Working for Families is actually a heavy burden for taxpayers to bear.

"According to Treasury figures, Working for Families will cost each and every New Zealander $50 this year, rising to almost $270 in the year following the next election.

"Government takes money from working families in tax, 'washes' it through Treasury and the Ministry for Social Development, then makes Kiwis apply to receive some of it back.

"ACT believes it would be simpler and fairer to just let working families keep more of what they earn.  Kiwis make better spending decisions around their kitchen table than politicians do around the cabinet table", Mrs Roy said.

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Hansard record from Question Time yesterday:

Heather Roy: Does the Minister believe that a back-bench MP with five children, like myself, should qualify for additional welfare payments; if so, why?

Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE: I do believe that the application of support of this kind should be done fairly. The unfairness of any other application is obvious. Across-the-board tax cuts, as suggested by the ACT party, for example, give no regard to circumstance, and deliver the biggest benefits to the people with the largest incomes.

Heather Roy: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister made absolutely no attempt to answer my question, which was very specific.

Madam SPEAKER: The Minister might like to clarify what he was saying.

Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE: I would simply add that if that member has an entitlement and has enough children, then she should quite properly receive those payments.

ENDS