tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92188973624204069422024-03-07T21:23:00.872+13:00Unite Waitemata Community Branch Unite is a union for low paid workers unemployed and beneficiaries. Unite Waitemata Community Branch includes students, mothers, carers, those with illnesses or disabilities, unemployed, full time and casual workers. We are all members of the working class and united we will win!presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.comBlogger291125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-65927327238564634482017-11-22T15:30:00.003+13:002017-11-22T16:03:21.469+13:00Co President's Report to Branch AGM November 2017<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Co President's Report <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unite Waitemata
Community Branch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">By Janet Robin<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>18 November 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It is one year now since we
have been renamed the Unite Waitemata Community Branch of Unite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">At the last AGM we changed
our name, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I resigned as Treasurer,
and Keith Henderson was elected as Treasurer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keith was also re-elected as Secretary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Paul Robertson and myself
were elected as Assistant Treasurs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Christina Faumuina<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I were elected as the two Co- Presidents.
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">So our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Executive for 2016-2017 comprised Keith,
myself,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christina and Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I changed the names of our
facebook group and our blog site to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>include "Community Branch" as part of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>name.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The facebook group's name is
Waitemata Unite Community Branch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The Website or blog is
also<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>called<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waitemata Unite Community Branch <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Our Community<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or "Like" Page on the other hand,
on Facebook,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kept its original name
"Unite Waitemata". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Waitemata Unite Community Branch Group on
facebook ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has had an active year full
of lively discussions and debates., with some new members. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The Facebook Like page has
been less active, but still has regular posts from time to time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I am also contributing to the
State Housing Action Network page as one of the administrators, adding
information related to the housing crisis on this page. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Keith and I attended the
Unite National Conference<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as
delegates,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>towards the end of 2016, and
promoted our remits in support of the Syrian revolution, and against the
bombing and starving of civilians in Syria. These remits did not pass, but
there was a sizeable minority in support of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We did not attend the 2017
Unite National Conference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The blog site,
waitemataunite.blogspot.com ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not been very active in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">One of the main areas of our
branch activism this year<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has been in
support of Niki Rauti, who struggled to keep her state <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>home at 14 Taniwha St, Glen Innes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Many of our members went out
to her home several times, and attended court hearings, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>help
stop Niki's eviction .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Niki<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>contested the eviction in the courts, and had
some success in delaying the eviction for several months. When the High Court
decided against her, Niki, who was very tired, eventually accepted some <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>alternative housing near by, and agreed to
leave her home. This was a sad ending to a long struggle, but I think we can be
happy that the community rallied around Niki and that we put up an effective
struggle for such a long time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">One of our main actions this
year was to organise a forum about the Universal Basic Income.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This was held<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in August, in <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the period leading up to the general election.
We had speakers from the Green Party (Denise Roche)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Opportunities Party (Geoff Simmons) ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as well as Dave Bedggood, a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>marxist sociologist, communist and member of
our branch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The UBI continues to be a
theme that is being widely discused and it was good to have some time to look
at it in both positive and critical ways. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Denise Roche<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>presented some of the welfare policies<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
Green Party, which <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>could radically
improve the lives of beneficiaries if they were implemented; as well as their
policies to raise the minimum wage and to strengthen unions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Before the election, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the co-leader of the Green Party, Meteria
Turei <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>resigned, after being lambasted in
the media, for having spoken publically about having lied to WINZ<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when she had been a young sole mother on a
benefit. Meteria said that she had spoken out in order to focus people's
attention on the poverty that beneficiaries actually face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">On 16 SeptemberUnite
Waitemata Community Branch <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>members
attended<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">a Rally against Poverty<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at the Otara Town centre,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>organised by the Green Party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>general election of 23 September, leading to
the formation of the Labour- NZ First government, with the backing of the Green
Party; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gives us an opportunity to be
heard and to present some ideas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for how
to improve the welfare system. Jacinda Ardern, the new Prime Minister has also
taken on a portfolio to tackle Child Poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carmel Sepuloni, the new Minister of Social
Development,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has shown a lot of
commitment to beneficiaries <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in her
electorate whilst in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>opposition. The new
government has proposals to help parents<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>including<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sole parents, but is
less forthcoming in assisting single people such as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those receiving Job Seeker Support or
Supported Living Payment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Carmel Sepuloni has signalled
the government's<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>intention to abolish sanctions for sole
mothers who don't name the father of their babies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This is victory for decades
of activism. In 2016 a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>campaign against
sanctions against sole mother <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was
launched by a number of organisations, including the Auckland Women's Centre
and Auckland Action Against Poverty. Our branch contributed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the campaign, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>including <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by making submissions to parliament. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">There are so many things
wrong with the welfare system, and the new government gives us an opportunity
for us to put pressure on the slightly more left leaning government to make
progressive changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We also need to be alert for
any anti beneficiary proposals coming from the NZ First part of the coalition,
such as Shane Jones' recently talking about work for the dole. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>new Comprehensive and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacficic
Partnership (CPTPP); which is currently supported by both National and
Labour;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is also a threat to our
rights,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>especially whilst any Investor
State Dispute Settlement clauses remain in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We should continue to oppose the TPP,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>its current form-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the CPTPP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, despite the opportunities for
activism, the energy of our branch has dwindled. There<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>do not appear to be the people willing and
able to perform the necessary duties of treasurer and secretary which are
essential if we were to continue as a branch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We could possibly continue to
function <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as an activist group, and this
is one thing that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an ongoing executive and/or
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>subcomittee could look into; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>before making final proposals to a Special
General meeting in early 2018. We could use our current funds to help our ongoing
activities <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>promoting beneficiary
rights<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>working class solidarity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We could also look into the
possibility of some kind merger with an organisation with similar goals to
ours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">However it could be that the
best option would be to close the branch, and donate any remaining funds to
orgaisations with similar aims to ours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If we close the branch, our
current members<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>could join other
organisations with similar goals to ours, if<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>they wish to do that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If we do close as a branch,
we can look back to decades of activism in support of beneficaries rights, and
in support of beneficiary -worker solidarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have always felt that the Unite union<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>should honour its constitution, and actively recruit and organise
beneficiaries, in an organised way, with proper funding, from its central
organisation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We haven't succeeded in
persuading the central organisation to do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Some of the highlights of our
activism over the years, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>frequent visits to, and leafletting of, WINZ centres; engaging with
other beneficiaries, advising people of their rights, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>campaigning for change, and encouraging people
to come to our meetings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We organised many protests outside WINZ
offices, including Henderson and New Lynn. I organised a three day Advocacy
training in Te Atatu, so that our members could more effectively act as peer
advocates for each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our biggest
year of activism was probably 2012, when we worked hard all year against the
welfare attacks intoduced by the National government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most significant were the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>International Women's Day protest over<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a motorway overbridge<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in St Lukes Rd, a May Day pram<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>protest at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>WINZ Queen Streen; and a huge day of action as part of a National Day of
Action against the cuts in October 2012; in Henderson. On this day we
assembed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Henderson, marched to WINZ,
assembled and listened to speakers there; then marched again to another rally
at Paula Bennett's office. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>December of the previous year, we had also
held a successful joint protest<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AAAP at the Henderson WINZ .
Whilst Paula Bennet was the Minster for Social Development we held several
protests at her office over several years;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>both by night and by day; and attended many of her public meetings-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>both<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>by challenging her inside the meeting,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and prosting with placards outside. We had some wonderful placards
designed for us by one member who we met at the International Women's Day
protest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Ka whawhai tonu mātou. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kia ora katoa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-60965391429043749012016-11-21T17:23:00.000+13:002016-11-21T17:29:19.078+13:00Stop The Genocide in Aleppo and all of Syria ! <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt;">STOP THE GENOCIDE IN ALEPPO!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Civilians in Aleppo<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and across Syria are being intensively bombed right now</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">-by bunker bombs, phosphorous
bombs, napalm, thermobaric , cluster and chlorine containing barrel bombs by
Russia and the Assad regime, targetting homes, schools, hospitals,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rescue teams, and underground shelters ! The
regime and Russia have even bombed the city's water supply! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Every day more
hospitals are destroyed! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYPVVc46XaWZVTQJVyyPjaTJWpGThY2_xeVZpv9kXBDykidXQ-_j_ASwvWoWji6AFh6sbyNfAmffYLMDz7A1ryTjB-ZtP2UDJVDRG2AFvNdgyM-wsn7WZwpPcKDsyqyKY7uWoh139ublp/s1600/Bombed+Aleppo+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYPVVc46XaWZVTQJVyyPjaTJWpGThY2_xeVZpv9kXBDykidXQ-_j_ASwvWoWji6AFh6sbyNfAmffYLMDz7A1ryTjB-ZtP2UDJVDRG2AFvNdgyM-wsn7WZwpPcKDsyqyKY7uWoh139ublp/s400/Bombed+Aleppo+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>The bombed city of Aleppo </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Aleppo is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>under
a starvation siege</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">, like many other
Syrian cities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">300,000 citizens of</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aleppo could<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>starve to death within weeks !</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Innocent civilians -babies, women, men, and children,
are completely trapped !<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Despite these atrocious
crimes against humanity,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aleppo's people
show tremendous solidarity and caring for each other, as they work to find<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the wounded under the rubble, and rush them
to </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">underground clinics for treatment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_NqW86mfhTs6hRxBVEwOC4oSEXM-yo2-Zh6r0JTtciIqHhWqUGKeXZWiYzJWlQzSk2swyX8pKlipxGb_n6LCWRCC7LEv2-esOL6sX8nBBthz0pTB8h0lEjBdom8HYgaeRdqvdcjd4alF/s1600/Rescuing+child++Barrell+bomb+aleppo+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_NqW86mfhTs6hRxBVEwOC4oSEXM-yo2-Zh6r0JTtciIqHhWqUGKeXZWiYzJWlQzSk2swyX8pKlipxGb_n6LCWRCC7LEv2-esOL6sX8nBBthz0pTB8h0lEjBdom8HYgaeRdqvdcjd4alF/s400/Rescuing+child++Barrell+bomb+aleppo+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>A child being rescued from a barrel bomb attack in Aleppo </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Hundreds of democratically run community councils</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">have been
formed across Syria.</b> The councils take care of the people's needs, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and are completely free of the state. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">They have produced a tremendous
amount of art , literature,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>music and
electronic media documenting the revolution and counter revolution in Syria. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unite<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waitemata Community Branch stands in
solidarity with these local community councils who set an inspiring example to
the world! <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zo4NAGXUXdWwhHwLbx32O6BEZ5JZ7rRRfXnOIfx95xxAdWrd52FQhHzWCPJvaEdvWmoTdMPK2_aWgmRrA4AOhjg57hTQug69phWaiE3ED-wxu7ubmsIAskqTjdgv8tLW0xMHZLI6V0uZ/s1600/dignity-symbol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zo4NAGXUXdWwhHwLbx32O6BEZ5JZ7rRRfXnOIfx95xxAdWrd52FQhHzWCPJvaEdvWmoTdMPK2_aWgmRrA4AOhjg57hTQug69phWaiE3ED-wxu7ubmsIAskqTjdgv8tLW0xMHZLI6V0uZ/s1600/dignity-symbol.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><i>Syrian Dignity Symbol - the Jasmine Flower. </i></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p>With </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p>its interconnected roots it represents the network of community groups across Syria </o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><i>calling for Dignity, Justice and Freedom </i></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The Assad regime and Russia have killed half a million
Syrian people.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The regime regularly uses
rape and torture as weapons. Most of the fighters killing Syrian civilians are
not Syrians. They include soldiers from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran and
Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All foreign troops Out! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The war started because people across Syria went onto
the streets to demand democracy, and instead were shot, rounded up, tortured,
raped and killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">So <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>eventually the people took up arms to defend
themselves. The Assad regime has vowed to continue to obliterate the population
until it accepts his rule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Both the United States and
Russia have re-defined the people's struggle for <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">democracy as a "war on
terror" and are both responsible for killing civilians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The growth of Isis was encouraged by the Assad
regime, so the regime would look like a lesser evil. However, despite the evils
perpetrated by Isis, it<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has killed a
fraction of the number of people that the Assad regime <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and Russia have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The democratic opposition has been forced to
fight on two fronts, against the attacks from the regime and from Isis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqhycEpC-BCbjYnlSqNdAKeq_rtYZso-2cSbMw6Ui2_uLVpFAdM6Xh8WLo635VuOGjXJposGaXAGyw7b_fjhrrBrPsd-lluFTQce-BkthtkYV_u_wXGR_eqo-3H_N1l1lXx-W6pjxzj3L/s1600/Janet+chanting+Syria+Demo+29.10.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><br /></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We call on all workers, beneficiaries, and lovers of peace and democracy
everywhere <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to stand in solidarity with
the people of Aleppo!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvgywE2bpFPaCnqYqBLuWCDw0_hMNbyJNq0FBM0fk7yTcpjS0dM8nC_QEgzLi_YXDwg_H8l0RbSX4RoZv6g8fL2P3NE_qNd1KX9E3e4VIeNDZ-HWDHOTR0xHZSiqJ3EfEIga2pxVbM7b-/s1600/Janet+chanting+Syria+Demo+29.10.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvgywE2bpFPaCnqYqBLuWCDw0_hMNbyJNq0FBM0fk7yTcpjS0dM8nC_QEgzLi_YXDwg_H8l0RbSX4RoZv6g8fL2P3NE_qNd1KX9E3e4VIeNDZ-HWDHOTR0xHZSiqJ3EfEIga2pxVbM7b-/s640/Janet+chanting+Syria+Demo+29.10.16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Unite Waitemata members at a Rally Calling for the Bombing of Syria to Stop, on 29.10.16</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Stop the
bombing! Troops out!</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Stop the Starvation Sieges ! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Stop the Genocide!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Solidarity with the Syrian Revolution! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Issued
by Unite Waitemata Community Branch <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">0212166937<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-80820158206785143152016-11-21T16:30:00.000+13:002016-11-22T04:42:10.501+13:00We Stand In Solidarity with the People of Aleppo !Civilians in Aleppo and across Syria are being intensively bombed, and trapped in starvation sieges, by the Syrian Government with its Russian and other foreign allies. <br />
<br />
Unite Waitemata Community Branch stands in solidarity with the people of Aleppo and all of Syria!<br />
We support:<br />
-their right to life and community essentials such housing, hospitals, schools - Stop the bombing!<br />
-their right to the absolute essentials of life such as water and food-Stop the sieges!<br />
-their right to democratically organise their own communities and to choose their own governing bodies.<br />
<br />
At our AGM on 15 October we unanimously passed the following resolutions:<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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1.Unite Waitemata expresses our solidarity with the Syrian
revolution.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2.Unite Waitemata supports the struggle of the Syrian people
for democracy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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3. Unite Waitemata <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>calls on the Assad regime and Russia to stop
bombing Syrian civilians. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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4.Unite Waitemata <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>calls on the Assad regime and its allies to
stop the starvation sieges of Syrian civilians.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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5. Unite Waitemata endorses<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the following remit being<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>being
sent<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the Unite Union AGM:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Unite calls for all aerial bombing and starvation
sieges<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Syria to stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We support the struggle of the Syrian people for democracy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p>Unite calls for the Council of Trade Unions to support these remits. </o:p></div>
presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-39510086313163077352016-11-21T16:06:00.000+13:002017-11-22T12:24:10.208+13:00Unite Waitemata Community Branch has a new name and two Co Presidents At our AGM we decided to change our name to Unite Waitemata Community Branch.<br />
This reflects the fact that we work in the community and in our union to unite both unwaged and waged workers to stand up for our rights, to support one other and to win a living income for all.<br />
Our members mainly live in West, Central and North Auckland, near the Waitemata Harbour.<br />
<br />
We also voted to have two Co- Presidents rather than a President and a Vice President.<br />
The two Co-Presidents for 2016-2017 are Christina Faumuina and Janet Robin.<br />
Having two Co Presidents for our branch reflects the choice of Unite Union to do the same.<br />
It was hoped that having two Co Presidents for our branch, would enable the two representatives to share the work between them and to help one another.<br />
It was agreed that Christina Faumuina would mainly work in the community, and that Janet Robin would mainly work with media and organising events. <br />
<br />
We clarified the manner of choosing the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer/s.<br />
We confirmed that the treasurer is an elected position, and that up to two assistant treasurers may either be appointed by the treasurer or elected by the branch.<br />
The new treasurer elected for 2016-2017 is Keith Henderson. Keith has taken over this position from Janet Robin, who has been treasurer for a number of years.<br />
Janet Robin was elected as Assistant Treasurer, and a third assistant treasurer is Paul Robertson.<br />
The Secretary and Co President positions will continue to be elected positions.<br />
<br />
<br />
The new Unite Waitemata Community Branch executive for 2016-2017 is:<br />
Secretary : Keith Henderson<br />
Co Presidents: Christina Faumuina and Janet Robin<br />
Treasurer: Keith Henderson<br />
Assistant Treasurers : Janet Robin and Paul Robertson<br />
<br />
<br />presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-23406634217121186692016-11-21T15:30:00.000+13:002017-02-25T11:39:20.337+13:00President's Report 15 October 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The following is a report from our 2015 President Christina Faumuina. We have copied Christina's handwritten report onto the blog. Christina has been working in the community including with unions, housing action, poverty advocacy groups, the Living Wage Campaign, churches, foodbanks, the Labour Party, </div>
and helping workers facing redundancy. She arranged a branch meeting with the Unite National Director Mike Treen, to discuss ways that our branch and the union as a whole can work together.<br />
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<br />presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-76618482045035035622016-11-21T13:22:00.002+13:002017-02-25T11:34:58.715+13:00Secretary's Report, 15 October 2016<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">Waitemata Branch of Unite Union</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Secretary's Report 15th October 2016</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">By Keith Henderson</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">In last year's report I noted that the removal of Paula
Bennett from both her former position as Minister of Social Development and
from her former electorate had deprived Unite Waitemata of a focus for
protesting her government's attacks on beneficiaries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">The fall off in our activity was expressed in a resolution
to meet throughout 2016 only every two months, instead of monthly as
previously. Instead our attention has been been increasingly directed towards
the housing crisis, and we have been active participants in united front
activities with other groups in the Hikoi for Homes, the national Housing
Conference called by SHAN, in TAG's occupation of vacant "ghost
houses" and the recent stand Up housing rally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">While our first attempts in SHAN to mobilize the west
Auckland state tenants around the housing issue were discouraging, the
situation has changed and is full of possibilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">So grave has the crisis become that the media have
at last found it newsworthy and there has been a growing public awareness of
its implications. As property values appreciate at a rate several times
faster than the median wage the spiraling rents- typically exceeding 50% of
incomes-go uncontrolled by the income-related rent of a remnant of state
houses, and home ownership becomes unattainable to a whole generation. There is
a need for a united front of private sector and rental tenants to support one
another in the struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">In an attempt to raise its profile in West Auckland the
National Party has held a series of public meetings attended by Housing
Ministers and Paula Bennett and Nick Smith, the Prime Minister John Key and his
deputy Bill English and Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley.. It is
thanks to Unite Waitemata's initiatives that only one of four such meetings has
gone unprotested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-62478237947725038802016-11-21T13:16:00.000+13:002017-02-25T11:38:02.021+13:00Vice President's Report , 15 October 2016<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Waitemata Branch of Unite Union<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Vice President's Report<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15
October 2016<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Janet Robin<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2016 we started
meeting every 2 months instead of every month. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We began meeting at the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>New Lynn Community Centre and then shifted to the New Lynn MacDonalds
meeting room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A major focus of this year's activities has been the housing
crisis, and secondly, suporting the campaign to stop sanctioning single mothers
who don't name the fathers of their children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also made efforts to liase with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>other community groups and with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unite Headquarters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People's desperate poverty continues unabated, with the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$25 increase in Sole Parent Support, being way
too little , too late. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Housing </b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most obvious<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sign
of a failing system has been the housing crisis, which is now so bad that the
Government can no longer deny it, and has been caught on the back foot, with no
solutions in sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite the desperate shortage of affordable housing, the
Government<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>continues to sell off <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our publically owned <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>state houses<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>into private hands.. Only a fraction of them end up as "social
housing" which is a privately owned rental accommodation with government
subsidies to be rented out <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>more cheaply
than at market rates.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unite Waitemata members have continued to be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>members of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>West Auckland SHAN (the West Auckland branch of the State Housing Action
Network ) in 2016, and to sometimes host West Auckland SHAN meetings<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>13 February and on
9 April I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>represented Unite Waitemata,
and West Auckland SHAN at <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SHAN planning
meetings for a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New Zealand Housing
Summit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Housing Summit was held on the 16th April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attended this summit along with several
other members of our branch . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In June,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>organised a protest outside a public meeting,
on 13 June, held <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by the National Party
in Blockhouse Bay, where the speakers were Paula Bennett, Minister for Social
Housing,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nick Smith, the Minister of
Housing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was a well attended and lively protest, with a large
contingent from the Tamaki Housing group, amongst others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later in the year our members attended other housing
protests, such as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a symbolic occupation
outside some empty state houses in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen
Innes, and I attended <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>protest at public<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>event about a house which had been built in a
programme called "The Block" .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
n August, the Tauranga branch of SHAN formed a separate
group, an incorporated Society entitled SHA Inc, in order to take the
government to court<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for selling state
housing in Tauranga. Whilst we expressed our support, we didn't join the new
incorporated society. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Government Legislation</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The government has not introduced major new legislation<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this year that directly attacks benefits, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it
has attacked beneficiaries indirectly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Social Security Rewrite Bill</b><b> </b> reinforced or even worsened some of its earlier oppressive legislation,
including rewriting Section 70 which
punishes women for not naming the fathers of their children. We took part in
the campaign to the "Stop the Sanctions" against
these women. <br />
<br />
I wrote a
submission , which you can read about on
our blog,<br />
waitematunite.blogspot.com, dated
21st June 2016, here:<br />
<br />
https://waitemataunite.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/no-to-social-security-legislation.html<br />
<br />
I gave an oral presentation of the submission to the Parliamentary Select
Committee. On 15 September Keith and I attended the AAAP's official launch of their campaign to "Stop the
Sanctions"; which appears to be getting widespread support amongst MP's of
several political parties. This campaign
was supported by several groups including the Auckland Women's Centre and the
Child Poverty Action Group. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Minstry for Vulnerable Children</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new MInister for Social Welfare, Anne Tolley, has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>introduced legislation that reforms CYF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It opens the way for more social work to be
done by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>private agencies , and makes it
easier for Māori and other children in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>care, to be fostered by families that are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not of the same<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>extended whanau , hapu, or iwi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many Māori are very concerned about this, and
see it as a colonial attack upon their people. The United Nations has criticised
the English name of Anne Tolley's new ministry,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"The Ministry for Vulnerable Children" as stigmatising the
children it focuses on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Media Work</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I continue to do media work, including<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>maintaining our two facebook pages. the Unite
Waitemata<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>page, and the Waitemata Unite group page,
and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>helping to take care of the SHAN
facebook page. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Solidarity with other groups</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some of our
members, together with our Unite Waitemata Banner;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have attended protests in support of the
Syrian revolution,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and against the
aerial bombing of civilians.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have maintained a co-operative relationship with the
Combined Beneficiaries Union, with some of us attending their meetings,
and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with Thomas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harvey, from the CBU attending our June
meeting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continue to support<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auckland Action Against Poverty , and other
groups campaigning against poverty. In April I assisted at the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AAAP Impact, held at Mangere WINZ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course we support SHAN, the Tamaki
Housing Group, and other housing activist groups. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Relationship with Unite Headquarters</u><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The visit of Mike Treen, Unite director, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to our August meeting, at the invitation of
our President, Christina Faumuina, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was a
positive step, and hopefully more communication and co-operation may develop <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>between our branch and Unite HQ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-60000312341717365722016-06-22T18:02:00.000+12:002016-06-23T01:50:40.233+12:00Meet social needs, not employers' needs. No to the oppressive Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill. <br />
The Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill attempts to re-codify the pernicious welfare changes it has passed since it took office; and sneaks in some even worse changes in the guise of making the Act read more smoothly.<br />
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The 2012 welfare changes included requiring mothers with children as young as three, (or even babies, for a second child), to be looking for work. The law forces mothers to put their children into early childhood institutions, which are sometimes very poor quality and can be traumatic for the child. If they refuse, or miss an appointment, single parent families face fifty per cent sanctions, which could go on for weeks, months or even indefinitely. <br />
<br />
People without children face 100% sanctions for the most trivial of offences, such as being five minutes late for an appointment.<br />
<br />
In addition to this, shockingly, the government abolished the sickness benefit, instead making nearly all sick people "job seekers" unless they went through enormous hoops to prove long term sickness or disability. This has led to cancer patients being forced to constantly look for work or to prove that they are too sick to work.<br />
<br />
Nowhere does National recognise the importance and value of parenting and caring, which is evident in Bill English's use of an archaic veto to prevent the Paid Parental Leave Bill from being passed; even though it has the support of the majority in parliament. This Bill would have extended paid parental leave to 6 months, which is tiny compared to what is available in some countries.<br />
<br />
National's relentless work focus (which was also pursued by Labour) puts placing people on the labour market, to compete with each other and increase employers' profits; before the human and social needs it should be addressing.<br />
<br />
The same approach has seen National sell off our state housing at a time of crisis levels of housing shortages!<br />
<br />
National places corporate profits, and punishing the poor; above meeting any social obligations whatsoever.<br />
<br />
The Social Security Rewrite Bill reinforces section 70A of the Social Security Act which punishes single mothers who do not name the father of the child. Mothers may not either want or be able to name the father for very good reasons, such as fear of violence, or the pregnancies being a product of rape or sexual abuse. In the Rewrite Bill section 70A is replaced by three sections, Sections 176, 177, and 178 which drum the same message, that mothers and their children must pay, with huge financial sanctions, for the fathers who don't meet their financial obligations.<br />
<br />
With these punitive clauses almost universally affecting women, including many Māori, who are the poorest in society; the Bill is sexist, classist and racist.<br />
<br />
Unite Waitemata believes that the Social Security Act 1964 needs to be re-written to include the principles of society's responsibility towards people in need , that were present in our original excellent Social Security Act 1938. This needs to be updated to include rights for women and Māori, and to recognise the importance and value of parenting and caring work; and society's obligation to support this. All references to job seeking and sanctions should be deleted from the Act. <br />
<br />
Additionally, the government needs to create real jobs, in other legislation; but job uptake should not be attempted by punishing people who cannot do paid work because of health needs or caring obligations; or because no jobs are available.<br />
<br />
In these times of precarious work, all workers and beneficiaries need to Unite against welfare cuts, which put the entire working class in danger! Save the welfare state!<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Below is our submission, </b></i><i><b>with many thanks to Auckland Action Against Poverty, and to Catriona MacLennan, for nearly all of the material in our submission. </b></i><br />
<i><b>The material in Part A comes from Catriona MacLennan's article in the NZ Herald, entitled 10 Ways to Fix NZ's Welfare State, on 16 June 2016 . </b></i><br />
<i><b>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/catriona-maclennan/news/article.cfm?a_id=157&objectid=11657642 </b></i><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Submission to the Social Services
Select Committee<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">on the Social Security Legislation
Rewrite Bill,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">regarding overall principles,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and certain sections, especially <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sections 176, 177 and 178<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.12px;">From: </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unite Waitemata Branch<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unite Waitemata is a branch of the Unite Union.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unite is a union for low paid,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>marginalised and unemployed workers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and beneficiaries. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our submission has two
parts, Part A and Part B<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Part A includes
overall submissions about the Bill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Part B includes
specific submissions about sections 176, 177 and 178 of the Bill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PART A<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall recommendations for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>improvements to welfare law, in the Social
Security<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legislation Rewrite Bill. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>( We support the views and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>recommendations of lawyer Catriona MacLennan
in this part of our submission.) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Background<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Social Security Act 1938 was
ground-breaking law - both in New Zealand and internationally. It was based on
the simple view that every New Zealand citizen had the right to a reasonable
standard of living, and that the community, collectively, was responsible for
helping those who could not support themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage said that
a new principle was introduced by the act -<br />
"[C]itizens of the Dominion are insuring themselves against the economic
hardships that would otherwise follow those natural misfortunes from which no
one is immune."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our current legislation, the Social Security
Act 1964, is being rewritten by the Government. It has produced a 446-page
bill, which is described as a technical rewrite. In fact, the bill makes policy
changes, and also continues the recent philosophy of emphasising sanctions and
obligations rather than primarily ensuring that everyone in need receives help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the combination of the law rewrite and
deep community concern about the plight of needy Aucklanders presents the
perfect opportunity to rethink both the spirit and the operation of our welfare
law.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let's return to the simple philosophy of 1938:
it is the role and responsibility of the community to help those in need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can afford it. Collecting the $1 to $6
billion lost every year in tax evasion and cancelling the proposed $3 billion
tax cuts would easily provide enough money to ensure that no Auckland child
grows up living in a car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; border: 1pt none; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0cm;">Recommendations<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">1.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Delete the purposes
and principles sections from the bill and replace them with the statement:
"The purpose of this act is to ensure that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all New Zealanders in hardship receive the
help they need; and it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Social
Development to do this."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">2.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Make the reduction
of poverty the aim of social welfare, rather than the current focus on reducing
the number of beneficiaries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">3.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Write into the bill
a recognition of the value of parenting. At present, our welfare system is
preoccupied with ensuring as many people as possible enter the paid workforce.
This is a short-term approach and fails to take account of the long-term value
to the community of parents spending time with their children. In addition,
casual, very badly-paid work means that paid work is no longer a guaranteed
route out of poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">4.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Delete section 70A <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the Social Security Act 1964 from the
Social Security Legislation Rewrite <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill
and delete the corresponding sections 176, 177 and 178 from the Bill. These<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sanction women who cannot name the fathers of
their children by docking their benefits - initially by $22 a week and later by
$28. The main people this punishes are actually the women's children. They are
already growing up in a financially-deprived household and further reducing the
family's meagre income exacerbates that hardship. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Please refer to our
comments in more detail about these sections in Part B of our Submission.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">5.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Require the Ministry
of Social Development to provide all beneficiaries with all the assistance to
which they are entitled. Currently, people seeking help face major difficulties
in obtaining their legal entitlements. Research demonstrates that those
accompanied by an advocate have a better chance of receiving assistance.
Hundreds of people have queued in recent years to receive help from Auckland
Action Against Poverty at "Impacts" in Mangere and elsewhere.
Voluntary groups should not have to do the job a government agency is funded to
carry out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">6.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Delete the phrase
"long-term welfare dependency" from the bill. This makes welfare a
burden, rather than the responsibility of the community and an investment in
the future wellbeing of New Zealanders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">7.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Write into law a
provision that grants, advances on benefits and other additional assistance are
not recoverable by MSD from beneficiaries. If people were not in desperate
need, they would not be receiving such help. Requiring them to repay these
amounts - as in the case of people staying in Auckland motels at the moment -
merely pushes them further into hardship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">8.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Stop sending mothers
convicted of benefit fraud on the basis of a confusing and
inconsistently-applied legal test to jail. As these women are already single
parents, sending them to jail has disastrous consequences for their children,
who end up deprived of both parents. In addition, if the debt established
against them cannot be repaid within two years, it should be written off. That
is what happens in other parts of our legal system. Pursuing them for the rest
of their lives for debts they cannot repay means they can never improve their
families' financial position.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">9.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Abolish Benefits
Review Committees and establish an independent process for reviewing the
ministry's decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">10.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Make benefit rates
liveable, rather than keeping them very low to punish those who cannot - for
many reasons - either find or perform paid work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">PART B</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Submissions regarding sections 176, 177 and 178.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(we support the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>views and recommendations of Auckland Action Against Poverty about these
sections, in this part of our submission). <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Problems with Sections 176, 177 and 178 </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unite Waitemata calls for the removal of Sections 176, 177
and 178 from the Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill (previously Section
70A). We strongly oppose the sanctions imposed on women who fail to identify who
is in law the father of their child. This sanction is penalising and putting
into further hardship families already struggling to survive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Currently there are 17,000 children in Aotearoa New Zealand
for which a Section 70A deduction is imposed. Of the 13,616 parents, 13,298 are
women, and only 318 are men. 52.8% are Māori. Given these numbers, this policy
clearly has severe disproportionate effects on women and Māori, exposing this
as an issue of sexism, gender and racial inequality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Section 176 refers to
the instance of a sole parent (mother) failing or refusing to identify who is
in law the other parent (father) of the child, or failing or refusing to apply
for child support. Although it is intended to ensure non-custodial parents pay
child support, the reality is that it punishes women and children who are already
in financial hardship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Section 178 states that the $22 sanction will increase to $28
if the mother fails or refuses to identify the father after 13 weeks of being
given notice to do so. There is no evidence that this has led to an increase in
paid child support. It has the effect of exacerbating the financial hardship of
the families who are among the most vulnerable in our country. Increasing
poverty as punishment for non-adherence to this policy is unjustifiable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is the 17,000 children who are the
primary victims of this punitive policy. Beneficiaries and low wage workers
already struggle to meet their weekly financial commitments, often with nothing
left over for additional or unexpected costs. For sole parents trying to
survive on one income, a deduction of $22-$28+ puts these families at further
risk of being unable to meet the welfare needs of their children, such as food,
clothing, education and adequate housing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We urge you to consider the welfare of
children as paramount, and argue that such children should not be victimised
for the circumstances in which they were conceived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As the sanction is cumulative, there
are a considerable number of women who are sanctioned for more than one child –
2,768 nationwide, accounting to $56 or more per week. This adds to their
financial stress and increases the risk of children going without basic
essential needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Section 70A deduction is often
imposed incorrectly. Women are oftentimes not advised by Work and Income of the
required steps to identify the father, or did not receive a formal notification
of the decision to impose the sanction. Some women have provided Work and
Income with the required identifying information within the six week deadline,
and the father is in fact paying child support, but they have still been
sanctioned due to Work and Income error. Additionally, many women are unaware
that they have this sanction imposed on them, and were at no time informed that
there would be a financial penalty for not naming the father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In order to get the sanction lifted,
the Ministry of Social Development requires women to present a letter from a
lawyer establishing the nature of their accordance with this criteria. However,
many women are not able to access a lawyer, and are not informed by the
Ministry about the free legal services of Community Law Centres. Given most of
these women are living in “survival mode” and cannot afford non-essential
costs, such as extra petrol or transport money to and from a lawyer, accessing
a lawyer becomes yet another barrier for them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are many reasons why a woman is
unable to identify the father of her child, and fear of violence is a frequent
one. However, under the current policy, it is up to the discretion of Work and
Income Case Managers to assess the risk of domestic violence, and this is not
something they are trained in, or have the competence to do. All women should
be given the benefit of the doubt regarding their fear of violence. If they
feel they cannot name the father, this should be respected. Having to relive
these experiences and justify their very real fear of violence in front of a
Case Manager, who often contests the lawyer’s letter, further disempowers and
victimises these women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are many other reasons that a
woman may be unable to identify the father of her child/ren, for example,
cultural stigma, shame, the fear of social exclusion, or non-reported rape.
Requiring women to explain, justify and validate the circumstance around the
conception of her child and the reasons for her non-adherence to this policy,
impinges on her privacy and autonomy, and is insensitive to the complexities
surrounding such situations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Recommendations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unite Waitemata calls for the removal of Sections 176, 177
and 178 from the new Social Security Act under the Social Security Legislation
Rewrite Bill. The sanction is moralistic, value-based and inherently sexist,
and puts into further hardship some of our most vulnerable families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-83517435024397612892016-06-14T16:25:00.000+12:002016-06-14T16:34:58.608+12:00Unite Protests Bennett and Smith's Housing Sell- Off<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Press Statement about the
Housing Protest <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at the National Party Public Meeting on Monday evening, </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3 June, </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">at
Blockhouse Bay. Issued </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">by Unite Waitemata. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc85hex7ZcRt_Yd3Lc8S0W3Pc4UbdL7Ybu2-Woy2ZcG35nfq0YxeSF2nmxalANru1yqMhyphenhyphenodtXzAjzUR8tkdNcPAGQjkSNWmIiR1wFvaHzIzJPPj8S8aIShEasg3Z855cE4TOuDxr8nnzA/s1600/IMG_5380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc85hex7ZcRt_Yd3Lc8S0W3Pc4UbdL7Ybu2-Woy2ZcG35nfq0YxeSF2nmxalANru1yqMhyphenhyphenodtXzAjzUR8tkdNcPAGQjkSNWmIiR1wFvaHzIzJPPj8S8aIShEasg3Z855cE4TOuDxr8nnzA/s320/IMG_5380.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Last night, Housing Minister Nick Smith
and Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett held a public meeting in Blockhouse
Bay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Members of Unite , the State Housing
Action network, the Tamaki Housing Group, and others, went along to protest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Whilst
many of us<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>protested and chanted
outside; others packed the hall inside, to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>ask the ministers why they are selling off our homes and evicting
tenants in a time of greatest need! " said <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janet Robin, spokes person for Unite
Waitemata,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which is a branch of the
Unite Union which represents low paid, unemployed and beneficiaries. "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Whilst
rents are soaring, and houses are unavailable, people are living in cars and
garages!" said Ms Robin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"National
must stop the sale of state houses, maintain them to a good standard, and build
thousands more state houses, urgently, without evicting any current tenants! "
she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ms Robin said that National must "Stop
the evictions from State Houses, and stop benefit sanctions which throw
people into hardship and homelessness! "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Work
and Income must provide free emergency accommodation for all who need it"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"State housing
needs to be administered by Housing New Zealand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People ‘s housing needs cannot be adequately
met by unsympathetic and overworked WINZ case managers, uncaring private
developers, or underfunded community organisations," said Ms Robin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"The
government needs to stop requiring<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Housing New Zealand to make a profit! State house rents should put back
into maintaining healthy state homes! " <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Housing
is a human right! "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyExWdhVN0HuisAmLvC7zueL0rQRKB9Eo4Yet1k0b55oB1fMegM7vspL-UAfzuSDa5d1lnLxZgwVnMIt2H8sqNaVW41jn8lkC2ujmqaBMsRBAlSKn7w2_6cDNsDK-0iIGfKn9DAwmb9wb/s1600/IMG_5370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyExWdhVN0HuisAmLvC7zueL0rQRKB9Eo4Yet1k0b55oB1fMegM7vspL-UAfzuSDa5d1lnLxZgwVnMIt2H8sqNaVW41jn8lkC2ujmqaBMsRBAlSKn7w2_6cDNsDK-0iIGfKn9DAwmb9wb/s320/IMG_5370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ms Robin said
that is important to keep state housing, and not replace<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with "social housing." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Our
state homes are an important state asset. They were built <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> by the working class, </span>paid for by the working class, and belong to to the working class. They must stay in public ownership! "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Community
organisations can't afford the maintenance. Private developers are only
interested in profit."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Only
the government can afford to build and maintain state homes; and is accountable
. It is the government's responsibility- to ensure that everyone has healthy
affordable homes."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Unions
need to get behind the struggle for properly funded and maintained state homes
for all who need them ."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janet Robin also said that "the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>government needs to institute rent controls
for private rentals. "We need to stop rents soaring out of control"
she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By selling rather than building state homes, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>during a housing crisis, Ms Robin said that "Paula
Bennett and Nick Smith have shamefully neglected their duties as housing
ministers."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Community
organisations such as Te Puea Marae<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>having to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>respond to a housing crisis which is entirely
of the government’s making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
showing the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>aroha and community
spirit<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which is woefully lacking within
the government. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a basic <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>government<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>responsibility to ensure that everybody has healthy affordable homes. "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Janet Robin
is a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Vice President of Unite
Waitemata, which is a branch of the Unite Union focusing on the low paid,
unemployed and beneficiaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is
also a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>West Auckland delegate to the
State Housing Action Network<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(SHAN) .</span></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-69276110776905090462016-03-29T23:27:00.000+13:002016-03-29T23:29:17.966+13:00President's Report December 2015<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">President's
Report<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>12 December 2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janet Robin<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Tēnā kōutou katoa, Greetings everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The lack of affordable housing, and the
government's attack on state housing, has been a major issue this year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deaths of State Housing tenants, including a
small girl, due to poor housing conditions such as mould and lack of
insulation, hit the headlines early in the year. Increasing numbers of
individuals and families are becoming homeless, living on the streets or in
cars, garages etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet the
government continues to sell off state housing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Several of our members attended a meeting
in Glen Innes in February, which had been called to set up a national network
of housing activists. A new organisation was formed called the State Housing
Action Network.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Around this time the National Party
Minister, Nick Smith was addressing a public meeting in Henderson, and some of
our members picketed this meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Keith and myself became the delegates for
West Auckland for SHAN. Unite Waitemata gave its full support to SHAN and to
this West Auckland branch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As West
Auckland SHAN and Unite Waitemata<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we
worked hard to distribute flyers, petitions, and posters, contacting the local
media, and calling a public meeting in Henderson. The meeting was well
attended, with a large contingent from Glen Innes present, and some people from
local housing and community organisations, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>political parties, and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>community boards. Despite this initial burst
of energy and enthusiasm, the level of energy and commitment to this type of
activism was not sustained throughout the year. I planned to do a screening of
the film "A Place to Call Home", at one of our branch meetings; but not
many people attended and the video player didn't work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Unite Waitemata renewed its action around
housing towards the end of the year, when some of our members participated in
the hikoi for housing, organised by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
Child Poverty Action Group, Auckland Action Against Poverty, and others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Attacks upon beneficiaries have escalated, with
many reports of appalling treatment of beneficiaries at WINZ offices. Since the
shooting at a WINZ office in Ashburton at the end of2014, WINZ offices now have
security guards at every door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The extra $25 per week for families on benefits,
included in this year's budget, came after strong public pressure to do
something about poverty, poor housing, and homelessness. Most beneficiaries see
it as being too little too late. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For much of this year we have met at a room
on the grounds of the St Lukes Church, in Mt Albert, because of a large increase
in the cost of hiring a room at the Avondale Community Centre. The Mt Albert
room was much cheaper, and quite comfortable, but some people found it
difficult to get there, and attendance dropped off. Some of our members are
currently looking for another room for 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">After the Australian Government passed
draconian laws preventing people from getting welfare benefits or tax concessions
if they didn't vaccinate their children, our branch voted to oppose this, and
to oppose our government doing anything similar here, should it wish to do in
the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Our members have attended several rallies
and demonstrations about the TPPA, Climate Change, Refugees and other issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I have continued to help people with
issues with WINZ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Our two facebook groups are still going
reasonably strong- the Waitemata Unite Group, and the Unite Waitemata Community
Page. Not much has been posted on our website
http://waitemataunite.blogspot.co.nz<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>however I recently edited the page slightly and changed some of the
colours. We can still be contacted at unitewaitemata@gmail.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
recently attended the 2015 Unite National Conference. Some of the security
guards at WINZ offices are members of Unite. A delegate reported that they work
under poor working conditions and don't feel safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gerard Heihir , the Secretary of Unite,
reported that he had spoken to the PSA, as instructed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by a remit introduced by Unite Waitemata to
the 2014 Unite<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>National Conference,
and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>passed at that conference. The
remit asked him to talk to the PSA about <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>supporting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the rights of beneficiaries, and opposing the
welfare cuts; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in order to create safety
for both beneficiaries and case managers at WINZ. However, apparently the PSA
told him that their focus was on security, rather than prevention of problems by
creating good relationships and supporting people's human rights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Recently it was revealed that Work and
Income had been wrongly starting the payment of people's benefits a day late
whenever they enrolled for a benefit since 1998. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So some people have applied for a refund of
their missing days' pay, and are starting to get paid for this. It is still
possible to get some money back up till January 8th 2016, but the Government
has now passed a law preventing people getting their money back after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More information is on the Waitemata Unite Group
page<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on Facebook, and on the page Claim
Your Missing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from W@I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Some of us recently attended a picket of
the National Party end of year party , in Te Atatu, organised by Auckland
Action Against Poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our activism reduced a little in the second part of the year. Our core group remains committed and we will continue to meet in 2016.</div>
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<br /></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-87337977007558693472015-06-11T15:43:00.000+12:002015-11-01T14:55:38.744+13:00Key's Casino Cabinet is Guilty of Infanticide<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has now been repeatedly proved beyond dispute that when it comes to matters of social welfare and industrial safety John Key's Casino Cabinet is more than willing to play Russian roulette with fatal outcomes. It was bad enough when the gambles they were prepared to take had <em>yet to </em>kill anybody. Now that the number of fatalities is mounting it is intolerable that they should remorselessly turn their loaded revolver on yet another of the most vulnerable groups in society with their Social Bonds experiment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Media comment on the deaths of Emma-Lita Bourne and Seosa Tovo through respiratory illness has until now largely focused on the dampness of the state houses which the coroners have blamed for their deaths, and Housing NZ chiefs have accepted responsibility- which is more than can be said of the Housing Minister. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">But, as pointed out by Northland doctor Roger Tuck, insulating a house will not prevent dampness unless it is adequately heated, and every day he sees children who- despite living in insulated houses- suffer <em>life-threatening </em>respiratory illness because their parents quite simply <em>cannot afford</em> the heating bills. Inadequate incomes are clearly as much to blame as inadequate housing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Prime Minister himself lamely acknowledged this when he alluded to the $25 benefit increase announced in the budget as a measure to remedy an unsatisfactory situation. Although he did not admit it, this was also an acknowledgement that his government's reliance on <em>employment</em> to solve the problems of poverty is an abject failure. He must be called upon to acknowledge this far more explicitly than he has so far dared to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When Paula Bennett introduced her much vaunted benefit reforms more benevolent and far more knowledgable people were quick to warn of their potentially lethal consequences. Not content as usual to simply ignore sound advice, John Key's cavalier response was to flippantly deride the warnings by saying that even if all benefit assistance was cut, no-one in N.Z. would die of starvation. I challenge him to repeat that assertion at Emma-Lita's funeral. If no children have died of <em>starvation, </em> Key should thank the tens of thousands of parents who have saved his bacon by risking their childrens health as they evidently do whenever they economise on vital home heating. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Paula Bennett has insisted ad nauseam that employment, not welfare- is the solution to poverty, both of beneficiaries and their children. The death of Soesa Tovo, who was employed as a security guard from <em>the same causes </em>as Emma-Lita proves her to have been at worst disingenuous and at best self-deluded, and she likewise must be held to account for her errors. That is unless she and her colleagues are prepared to admit that their employment and welfare policies have been <em>successful </em>in keeping wages as low as they are, and that infant mortality is for them an <em>acceptable </em>price to pay for the higher attendant profits. Her strenuous denials that welfare reforms had any such goal would be more credible were she to equally strenuously oppose the Employment Relations Act.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">During her term of office Ms Bennett has shown a great deal of zeal in prosecuting parents whose apparent neglect has resulted in the death of their children. It has suited her political agenda to thus stigmatise those who she has <em>conspired to deprive</em> of the means of supporting their children. Let's see her show the same zeal in denouncing those whose negligence is responsible for Emma-Lita's death. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">If any of John Key's ministers had a shred of the decency that so many NZers attribute to them, they would be ashamed to serve in his cabinet and would resign in remorse. Whether through design or through negligence is somewhat immaterial: they are collectively guilty of infanticide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Indeed, -apart from book-keeping- wilful or inadvertent homicide is the only thing for which they have shown any competence whatsoever. </span>Secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05194312869107285499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-89246501523792085832014-10-24T14:31:00.001+13:002015-05-18T03:19:30.583+12:00President's Report 2013-2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">President's Report<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>17 October 2014<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janet Robin<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Greetings
members and friends, welcome to the AGM of Unite Waitemata.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Tēnā
koutou , tēna koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.</span><span lang="mi-NZ" style="mso-ansi-language: #0481;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
our remits were passed at Unite AGM on 26-26th November 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite calls for minimum wages and benefits
to be at the level of a living income.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite Calls for One Year’s Paid Parental
Leave.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite calls for all carers of their
disabled adult family members to have the right to be employed by the state on
a living wage.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite Calls for Working for Families Tax
Credits to be extended to Beneficiary Families.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite opposes all benefit sanctions.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite opposes compulsory drug tests,
compulsory training, working without pay, compulsory childcare and compulsory
medical visits for beneficiaries and their families.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite opposes work testing of parents, the
sick and disabled.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite opposes the use of WINZ trained
designated doctors to provide alternative diagnoses to the diagnosis provided
by the beneficiary’s own doctor.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite opposes “income management” for
youth.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite opposes contracting out WINZ
functions to private providers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unite calls on the Government to create
real jobs for those that need them.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Early this year Ivan and I attended the
first meeting of the new Unite executive. We had been invited to attend by
Unite President Gerard Heihir, to help decide how to implement the remits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We suggested having a paid organiser for
beneficiaries, and publishing a link to our branch on the Unite website, but we
were told we were just asking for money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Nothing was decided. The Vice President was
meant to get in touch with me so we could make further plans together. But he
didn't do this, and I didn't hear back from Gerard Heihir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">People have come to our
meetings and joined the branch after I helped them with advocacy as a Unite peer advocate , and sometimes as an advocate at a local community organisation where I have been working. People have come to our meetings after meeting us at public events such as pickets and demonstrations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We had a visit in January from Julie
Whitehouse from the Auckland Single Parents Trust. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We</span> met Julie at a demonstration outside a
National Party<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas Party at
Auckland Grammar School last December, organised by Auckland Action Against
Poverty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in the year Julie 's political
differences with us became apparent, when she publically supported the Government's
work focus for single parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In February the branch had a visit from the
Unite Secretary Matt McCarten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As it turned out, this was just before he
left Unite to become the campaign manager for David Cuniffe and the Labour
Party. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
March 8th, I celebrated International Women's Day on our behalf by taking some
placards to the Poverty Spoons display in Te Atatu People's Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">On the 26th March we held a successful protest
at a public meeting for Paula Bennett at the Kelston Community Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met Christina Faumuina, a Labour Party member
and former SFWU delegate , who spoke very eloquently at the public meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Christina attended our next meeting and
joined our branch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We held a successful forum at the Trades
Hall to celebrate May Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
August I participated in the Auckland Action Against Poverty Impact at Mangere
WINZ. . I was shocked at the level of poverty and hardship that so many people
were enduring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I have continued to maintain our facebook
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<span lang="EN-US">Unite Waitemata organiser page has 648 friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Waitemata Unite Group has 212 members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Unite Waitemata<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Community (Like)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>page has 160 friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Our website is waitemataunite.blogspot.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keith has been contributing to it this year.
It has had 46, 664 page views in all time, and 3451 page views in the last
month. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Some of us continued to informally support
the Mana Movement, and the newly formed Internet Mana Party during the election
campaign. We had more formally supported Mana <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>during the previous election. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The defeat of Internet- Mana <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(and the possibiity of a Labour led
government) and the triumph of National at the elections, with their declared
intention of reducing the number of beneficiaries by another 25% is a big
concern for us. Poverty levels are soaring. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Child poverty was an election issue, which
National gave some lip service to, but appears to have already decided to do
nothing about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Housing is at an
absolute crisis with many families living in cars and garages. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keith and some of our members have been active
supporting state housing tenants' struggles this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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the end of my report . I hope you enjoy the rest of the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Tēnā
koutou, tēnā koutou , tēnā tātou katoa.</span><span lang="mi-NZ" style="mso-ansi-language: #0481;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-78656700461113623822014-10-21T15:06:00.003+13:002014-10-21T15:06:37.795+13:00Secretary's Report 2013/4Waitemata Branch of Unite Union<br />
<br />
<br />
Secretary's Annual Report 2013/4<br />
<br />
Keith Henderson 16/10/14<br />
<br />
Waitemata Branch’s activities during the year 2013-2014 have consisted of advocacy for members with benefit issues, public comment on issues affecting beneficiaries, the initiation of meetings and protests and the participation in protest actions organised by others.<br />
<br />
In the field of advocacy we have had one victory at a Benefits Review Committee hearing in a case where a member had had his benefit stopped allegedly for failing to fulfil job-seeking obligations. The outcome was reinstatement of benefit with back-payment of lost entitlements. The case demonstrated the value of taking matters to the Review Committee with peer support. Had this not been given our member would have been grievously victimised. <br />
<br />
The main issue on which Waitemata Branch has commented publicly has been Work Capability Assessments and WINZ use of designated doctors to achieve arbitrary targets in the number of benefits granted. The invaluable information obtained by one of our associates under the official information act has been posted on our blog along with other commentary on the benefit reforms. I as secretary also wrote an open letter to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians criticising the position paper on the Health Benefits of Work put out by its Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, which WINZ saw fit to quote on it Work Capacity Certificates, despite a faulty methodology which if consistently applied would return NZ to the Victorian era of child labour. <br />
<br />
The open letter was sent to the CTU and some of its unions that had signed up to the FOEM's Consensus Statement but (shamefully) no response has been received. An abridged version of the letter was published in the NZ Medical Journal but as that journal is accessible only to subscribers I don't know how it the letter was received by the medical profession at large.<br />
<br />
At our last monthly meeting the branch resolved to call on the PSA to recognise, in view of the tragic shootings at the Ashburton WINZ office, that the benefit reforms have turned WINZ offices into lethal environments and to organise appropriate industrial action under the Health and Safety provisions of the ERA. A remit to be put to this meeting addresses this issue.<br />
<br />
When it became apparent that there would be no Mayday parade in 2014 Waitemata Branch undertook to organise a Mayday forum at Trades Hall which had quite a good turnout.<br />
<br />
We initiated protests at two of Paula Bennett's public meetings in the lead up to the election. At one of these our vice president was assaulted by the police for attempting to get too close to Bill English who stood in for PB whose plane was delayed by fog. Neither of these protests was well supported by other groups, though a competing event excuses this n the latter case.<br />
<br />
The housing crisis and the defence of state tenants have this year become one of our major preoccupations. Individual members have continued to attend meetings of the Tamaki Housing Action Group and reported on proceedings. Other sources have confirmed 'our man's impression that the struggle in GI was subordinated to Mana's electoral politics. Only recently did I hear about a picket in May which temporarily delayed the removal of a state house.<br />
<br />
Recognising that GI is geographically too remote for most of our members to participate, our branch resolved to support the state tenants' struggle wherever we could closer to home. We invited Gael Baldock to address our June branch meeting re her own struggle in Grey Lynn and contribute toward the publicity costs for the public meeting her support committee organised at Trades Hall. We heartily congratulate her on the victory she has since won in the tenancy tribunal. Along the way her struggle has exposed the chicanery of a once proud Housing NZ now dedicated to serving the Nats neo-liberal agenda. <br />
<br />
With a view to supporting struggles in Grey Lynn and GI we committed to collaborating with other parties in organising a public meeting in West Auckland on the housing crisis. However of the parties contacted none showed an interest- until we heard of the Housing Call 2 Action network that independently was publicising the related issue of homelessness. At the public meeting they organised (which was addressed by rival electoral candidates) we distributed a leaflet calling on working class people to make themselves available for pickets in defence of state houses. That no-one signed up to a contact register revealed a lamentable reliance on parliamentarians who solve a housing crisis they have allowed to happen.<br />
<br />
Foremost among the protest marches we have supported have been the CPAG's march against child poverty and the series of solidarity marches for Gaza when it was under assault again from the might of the IDF. We voted $100 towards the Kia Ora Gaza relief fund.<br />
<br />
Secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05194312869107285499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-66284586165363697742014-03-07T15:37:00.000+13:002015-11-02T00:12:07.817+13:00The truth about Designated Doctors <br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Re- posted from http://nzsocialjusticeblog2013.wordpress.com/</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #111111; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 30.4px; letter-spacing: -0.04em;">DESIGNATED DOCTORS – USED BY WORK AND INCOME, some also used by ACC: The truth about them</span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATED DOCTORS – USED BY WORK AND INCOME, some also used by ACC: The truth about supposedly “independent” Designated Doctors</strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">PART A:</strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">INTRODUCTION:</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Over the last couple of years I have been able to collate some highly interesting information from sources like Work and Income (‘WINZ’) clients, advocates, bloggers, certain internet websites, the media and part-time researchers. It includes documents and some other information that could be found by researching past and present media reports, also reports and online manuals from the Ministry of Social Development (‘MSD’) and WINZ websites, through looking at various other websites on the internet, and last not least also by way of Official Information Act (O.I.A.) requests.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The information discloses what the Ministry of Social Development and WINZ have been doing in the areas of medical examinations, assessments and reviews by commissioned “designated doctors”.</strong> <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It includes some valuable other information about medical appeals to Medical Appeal Boards (MABs), and it shows, that the MSD did during 2008 conduct a nation-wide “training program” for the “designated doctors”, who they use for getting second opinions, assessments and recommendations on recipients of, or applicants for, sickness and invalid’s benefits (now called “deferred jobseeker” and “supported living” benefits).</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">A television “expose” (or documentary) on what has been going on at ACC (’60 minutes’ programme, TV3 on 09 Sept. 2012, available via ‘On Demand’ or ‘You Tube’) showed what appalling strategies were followed there. It was revealed that ACC targeted complex, high cost claimants, by using preferred, hand-picked medical assessors, to prepare reports that favoured ACC. Cost saving appeared to come before proper rehabilitation, treatments and compensation, so they used a kind of “exit strategy” to off-load thousands of such claimants, who in many cases ended up having to apply for invalid’s or sickness benefits. I am afraid that very similar developments have occurred with Work and Income as part of the MSD, leading to former invalid’s beneficiaries having been shifted onto the lower paid sickness benefit, and former sickness beneficiaries been shifted onto the former unemployment benefit.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">I wish to provide you with some informative details about the use of so-called “designated doctors”, who are expected to perform similar tasks as ACC assessors in this summary report (with relevant resources).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">The information available is somewhat complex, and regrettably requires a bit of study and reading to grasp of what has, still is, and what will continue to be done in the areas of medical assessments, reviews, “designated doctor” examinations, Medical Appeal Board hearings and the likes. But I have attempted to summarise it all to keep it within a reasonable amount of information to digest.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">BACKGROUND:</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Major social welfare reforms came into effect in July 2013. They have led to some changes of the law and processes. WINZ are continuing to apply an ever more rigorous, yes very questionable approach, as they have already done since at least 2008. With the introduction of the Future Focus policies in 2010 the criteria for being considered sick, disabled and thus incapacitated to do any work, has been tightened substantially. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">WINZ expect their own Health and Disability Advisors, and the “designated doctors” they regularly use and work with, to now primarily look at what a client CAN DO, rather than what they CANNOT DO!</strong> That is of course a bit of a “catchy” but ambiguous phrase, and naturally it can lead to subjective ways of diagnosing and assessing persons, as to what they can individually do or not do when it comes to any work activity.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">The MSD has long been concerned about the growth of sickness and invalid’s beneficiary numbers, and hence looked at possible ways to contain the trend of more persons qualifying and going onto these types of benefit. The following extract from a report by Dr Neil Lunt, published in the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘Social Policy Journal of New Zealand’</strong>, from March 2006 (Issue 27), under the section headline <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘The background to reforming SB and IB’</strong>, page 82 gives a brief insight, of what moves were made under the then National led government in the 1990s:</span></div>
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<em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“National’s Welfare to Work brand (Player 1994, Ministry of Social Policy 2001) saw a new approach to medical certification for SB and IB. National’s attempts at reform saw the introduction of the Designated Doctor Scheme in September 1995, with designated doctors having responsibility for assessing benefit eligibility, certifying applications for SB at 13 and 52 weeks, and certifying grants for IB, and recommending a possible review (12, 18, 24 months). From 1998, there was an alignment of SB rates with UB rates for new grants and the introduction of the Community Wage in place of UB and SB. In October 1998, the designated doctor review scheme was revised and doctors signing the certificate were able to certify SB for four weeks and then at 13-week intervals. For IB, designated doctors certify the granting of a benefit, with review being recommended by these doctors for two years, five years, or never. During the first part of 1999, there was also the trial of work capacity assessment for those with sickness, disability, or injury. A Phase one trial was undertaken but Phase two was never completed. The work capacity process for IB and SB sought to identify the level of work, if any, a beneficiary was capable of, and to determine what assistance would help them move into paid work (abridged from Wilson et al. 2005:4–5 Table 1.1).”</em><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">The National government of that time did plan to introduce “work capacity assessments”, but this was never implemented, as there was another change of government in 1999, thus putting a stop on National’s welfare plans, which were aimed at restricting welfare access, placing much stronger individual responsibilities on persons on benefits, and enforcing more obligations for them to seek and stay in work, or do training.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The same report from Dr Neil Lunt from 2006 described this in the following section (p. 83):</strong></div>
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<em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“These approaches sought to narrow the gateway to benefits and to ensure those with work capacity did not avoid the obligations that were at this time being placed on other groups of beneficiaries, including those in receipt of UB and Domestic Purpose Benefit. I would argue that the approach was individualised and an underpinning assumption saw “problems” as located in individual claimants, particularly in their attitudes towards work and unwillingness to meet their obligations.”</em></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">It appears therefore that the first use of so-called “designated doctors” – as we now know them – started with the introduction of that “Designated Doctor Scheme” mentioned above. Prior to that separate examinations and assessments for the earlier Department of Social Welfare (DSW, later WINZ) appear to have been made by certain specialist doctors, if there were uncertainties in host (own) doctor assessments. The writer of that report I quoted from, states that the approach introduced by the government then “saw “problems” as located in individual claimants, particularly their attitudes to work…”. This indicates that the reforms introduced then were an attempt to include a somewhat judgmental, yes possibly prejudicial approach, based on the belief, or view, that persons claiming sickness or invalid’s benefits were claiming these, rather for avoiding work obligations, than being seriously sick or disabled, although medical certificates were required by the then ‘Department of Social Welfare’ to prove that the latter applied.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">With a change in government, and a new approach that was taken from 1999 onwards, more supportive and inclusive ways were being proposed and introduced, largely based on a “social model” for dealing with disability and incapacity. The launching of the ‘New Zealand Disability Strategy’ ‘Making a World of Difference’ (New Zealand Disability Strategy 2001) created a new platform to work from. The Labour government followed a “modern” style welfare policy, with an “investment approach” targeted to assist individual WINZ clients with sickness and disability to achieve better outcomes for themselves, by enhancing employability. “Enhanced case management” was brought in, same as some “Innovative Employment Assistance” initiatives. By about 2005/2006 the then Labour led government decided to follow a yet more “active” approach, which was also somewhat inspired or motivated by new reports and approaches presented in the United Kingdom. I will get to what that meant a bit later. Also were there plans for introducing “single core benefits” from as early as 2007, consisting of one set of rates and one set of eligibility criteria for benefits, but with add-ons to support people who have higher costs such as accommodation or disability-related – whether in or out of work.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Some of these policies were never realised, but trials were run, leading to certain initiatives to be implemented nationally, as this following section from the same report (pages 86-87) mentioned above shows:</strong></div>
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<em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“There has long been a concern about gateways into SB and IB and particularly the most appropriate locus of responsibility for certification. This was an area that subsequent National and Labour governments have sought to address. Most recently, the government has allowed local general practitioners and case managers to seek a second opinion where doubt exists about new and continued eligibility for SB, thus pre-empting patient “capture” that is said to result from close or longstanding personal relationships between claimants and their doctors. This initiative was piloted in the Wellington region with national rollout starting from June 2005. There is also enhanced guidance for general practitioners to “improve the management of inflow” onto SB (Maharey 2005b).”</em></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The following chapter from the same report (page 92-93) shows how much the British welfare changes were also given serious consideration by the last Labour government:</strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Healthy Welfare”</strong></div>
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<em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Ongoing engagement with the medical profession is likely to be required to clarify general practitioners’ roles of clinician, advocate, and adjudicator in relation to health and wellbeing. Overseas evidence also suggests general practitioners’ views about work sickness depends on a general practitioner’s own personal views, patient characteristics, time available, expertise in occupational health, and views about continuity of care (Mowlam and Lewis 2005). General practitioners often feel pressured and are also inclined to take the wider views of claimants/patients into account, perhaps not wanting to commit them to searches for scarce work or where services are poor (Social Market Foundation 2005). A fuller notion of employability clearly encompasses the supply, demand and matching of labour (Lunt 2006).</em></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">It seems likely that prevention and managing long-term sickness-related absence will be increasingly important areas, with medical practitioners encouraged to do more to help workers stay in and retain work.”</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">From the same report’s “footnotes” on “designated doctors” (page 82) this is quoted:</strong></div>
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<em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Designated doctors assess a person’s medical eligibility for the Invalid’s Benefit. Under current regulations, “Designated Doctors must be registered with the New Zealand Medical Council and hold an annual practising certificate. Designated Doctors must be fully informed about their responsibilities under the Social Security Act 1964”.</em></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And here is the title and link to the quoted report that can be found on the MSD website on the internet (copies can be downloaded in MSD Word and PDF format):</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">‘Sickness and Invalid’s Benefits: New Developments and Continuing Challenges’</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/journals-and-magazines/social-policy-journal/spj27/sickness-and-invalids-benefits-27-pages77-99.html" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/journals-and-magazines/social-policy-journal/spj27/sickness-and-invalids-benefits-27-pages77-99.html</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">By Neil Lunt, Social Policy Programme, Massey University at Albany</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Abstract</em></strong></div>
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<em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The proportion of the working-aged population receiving an Invalid’s Benefit (IB) has increased steadily betw een 1994 and 2004, and numbers on a Sickness Benefit (SB) rose sharply in the early 1990s and have continued to increase between 2000 and 2005. New Zealand has witnessed considerable policy activity in the field of SB and IB, as well as disability policy more broadly. To date, there has been relatively little attention paid by academic commentators to the increased emphasis on working actively with SB and IB clients. This is despite the fact that the new directions signalled for SB and IB constitute nothin g less than a paradigm shift. At the heart of change is the move beyond individuals – beyond focusing on either their disability or their lack of motivation.”</em></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Also of interest is this separate report, which elaborates on the growth of the invalid’s benefit, also mentioning “reforms” and measures taken by governments, involving also the “designated doctors”. Copies can be downloaded in MSD Word and PDF format:</strong><br />
<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘Understanding the Growth in Invalid’s Benefit Receipt in New Zealand’</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">By: Moira Wilson, Keith McLeod, Centre for Social Research and Evaluation, Ministry of Social Development:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/journals-and-magazines/social-policy-journal/spj29/understanding-the-growth-29-pages127-145.html" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/journals-and-magazines/social-policy-journal/spj29/understanding-the-growth-29-pages127-145.html</a></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Abstract</em></strong></div>
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<em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This paper reports on research that uses the Ministry of Social Development’s benefit administration data to advance our understanding of the growth in the number of people receiving the Invalid’s Benefit over the decade to 2002. It investigates the growth in inflows of people to Invalid’s Benefit, as this was the main cause of growth in recipient numbers.”</em></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Of interest will also be the “official” WINZ website information on “designated doctors”:</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/community/health-and-disability-practitioners/designated-doctors.html" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/community/health-and-disability-practitioners/designated-doctors.html</a></div>
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<em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Work and Income have established a panel of respected medical practitioners to provide second opinions on medical information – designated doctors. The provision of a second opinion assists Work and Income to determine a person’s capacity for work and entitlement to financial assistance. It also assists us with helping people to move towards employment.”</em></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">CHANGES TO USE OF DESIGNATED DOCTORS AND INTRODUCTION OF HEALTH AND DISABILITY ADVISORS:</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">From the above information it can be seen that MSD and WINZ have been using “designated doctors” under both National and Labour governments, and the involvement of these nowadays actually carefully selected medical professionals has fluctuated.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">The clear intention was to use them to find ways to gather more information on clients with health conditions and disabilities, but also to offer additional measures to increasingly “assist” or “usher” WINZ clients back into work or training.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Already under the last Labour led government a stronger work focus was gradually adopted for beneficiaries from as early as 2005 on, this leading to introducing some new processes, rules and ways to assess and “assist” applicants, and consequently even more intensive efforts in 2007 and 2008. This was largely based upon the advice of senior policy making staff and management within MSD.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Following reforms under National in the 1990s the number of “designated doctors” reached over 1,000, although only a small number of them would handle most examinations and reviews. Still in 2007 a memo from MSD states they had 1,090 on their books. About then WINZ still had about 115 psychiatrists, a number of other specialists, but only 3 psychologists in their pool. 226 were only on the “general register”, and 224 “designated doctors” were then based in hospitals. The number of “designated doctors” was so high then, because until about that time a “designated doctor” recommendation was usually asked for (by case managers), before any person was granted an invalid’s benefit. Only a much smaller number were used to examine and assess those on (or before being granted) sickness benefits (for “second opinions”). Only barely half of “designated doctors” were then vocationally registered and based in general practice clinics. In 2005 or perhaps 2007 only 41 “designated doctor” GPs wrote 26 per cent of all reports (according do a 2007 memo).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">After the Labour government introduced the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘Principal Health Advisor’ (PHA)</strong> and <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘Principal Disability Advisor’ (PDA)</strong> positions, which were filled by appointed persons like <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dr David Bratt</strong>and Anne Hawker. Both were then put in charge of overseeing, mentoring and instructing Regional Health Advisors (RHAs), Regional Disability Advisors (RDAs) and Health and Disability Coordinators (HDCs) sitting in the regional offices of MSD and WINZ.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Following the appointment of those Principal Health and Disability Advisors, the Regional Health Advisors and Regional Disability Advisors, as well as so-called Health and Disability Coordinators in late 2007 and in 2008, changes were brought in by way of a new medical certificate and by changing the way of using “designated doctors”. They were after then intended to be used rather only for providing “second opinions”, rather than for making initial assessments on potential, new invalid’s beneficiaries, or those being reviewed. Also was the intention to keep and recruit rather vocationally registered practitioners, mostly only GPs, rather than the wider pool of partly not sufficiently experienced and registered practitioners. More balance from region to region was anticipated, and RHAs, RDAs and HDCs were being involved in finding and encouraging GPs – and a few other suitable practitioners – to apply to become “designated doctors”, where there may be a perceived shortage of them. Case managers would also be involved in finding out where shortages existed, and what kind of doctors would be “suitable” for WINZ and MSD.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">The result would afterwards be a much smaller pool of “designated doctors”, most of who would though be vocationally registered (and better qualified and experienced). But given the increased coordination and cooperation of the new MSD staff in the roles of RHAs, RDAs and HDCs (all overseen and instructed by primarily Dr David Bratt, and also Anne Hawker) and the medical practitioners, there would be “designated doctors” considered to be the more “preferred” ones for WINZ. Naturally certain “designated doctors” would be found to have a reputation to deliver certain outcomes, that senior MSD and WINZ staff would consider “helpful”, so it can be concluded, that an unofficial, but understandable “selection” would occur, where a small core of doctors out of the total pool of the “designated doctors” would end up with the larger work-load, given their “preferred expertise” or desired “output” in recommendations.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There appears to have been a somewhat new “culture” within MSD and WINZ in regards to the handling of medical examinations, assessments and reviews, that started to develop under the auspices of Dr David Bratt, who came to the Ministry after having worked as a kind of consultant at the Capital and Coast DHB. He is also known to have done work for ACC, same as a Dr David Rankin, who also worked for MSD.</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">It was in 2008 also certainly noticeable that there was a kind of <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">media campaign</strong> that <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the National Party opposition</strong> appeared to be running, or at least was heavily promoting and driving, and Judith Collins was as their “welfare spokesperson” a main driver behind it, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">actually “feeding” media with endless National Party “press releases”</strong>. There had already been ongoing criticism by certain politicians and some others (likely with ulterior motives) about the fact that the number of persons on the sickness benefit had been increasing under Labour, while unemployment was as low as it had not been for over 16 years.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Various media reports, also from the NZ Doctor magazine, then <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">claimed that there were many incidents of “doctor bullying”</strong>, where apparent drug addicts and some sickness beneficiaries were putting undue pressures on GPs to sign off medical certificates, so they could claim a benefit for health reasons. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Apart from a questionable “survey” the actual number of such incidents was never clearly established, and there was never sufficient evidence provided, that this was ever serious, wide-spread behaviour.</strong> “Drug addicts” were thrown together with “sickness beneficiaries”, as if they belonged into the same “drawer”. Also was there never any proper information on what particular reasons may have been behind cases, where some behaviour perceived as “pressure” may have had occurred. No consideration was given to the possibility that some felt unfairly treated by doctors, some of whom could well have been working as “designated doctors” for WINZ.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">One blog entry and comment thread on ACC Forum did then actually cover these media reports, and the following link does lead you to that one:</strong></div>
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<a href="http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/6711-sick-people-bully-doctors-as-well-as-too-lazy-to-work/" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/6711-sick-people-bully-doctors-as-well-as-too-lazy-to-work/</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">From the ‘NZ Doctor’ magazine on 02 July 2008 Lucy Ratcliffe was quoted as reporting: <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Just over a third of GPs polled say bullying is a serious concern for them and drug addicts and sickness beneficiaries are most likely to be the culprits.</em></strong></span></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The latest New Zealand Doctor/IMS Health faxpoll finds a third of GPs (33 per cent) say they’ve been bullied two to three times during their career in general practice, and just over a quarter (26 per cent) say it’s happened four to five times.</em></strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Eighteen per cent say they’ve been bullied more than 10 times and 6 per cent say it’s happened so many times they’ve lost count.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">It becomes clear that this “survey” asked “loaded” or ambiguous questions, so doctors referred to incidents “during their career”, which is likely to cover very many years in most cases!</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Dr David Bratt did though appear to take up that issue with some passion and added his own comment to certain media reports on incidents, which were only quoting very few GPs. It will not surprise those who know more about Dr Bratt and his clearly biased views that the rounded survey result would later show up in many of his “presentations” that he regularly gives to GP conferences, other medical professional gatherings, to medical trainers and trainees, which are full of such hand-picked, insufficiently proved statistics.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Designated Doctor Training</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Under Dr Bratt (a common GP from Wellington, with specialisation in obstetrics), who has been Principal Health Advisor since late 2007, WINZ and MSD soon even started <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“training”</strong> the so-called <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“designated doctors” </strong>that WINZ relies on for giving second opinions and conducting reviews of applicants’ and sickness and invalid’s beneficiaries’ health conditions.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">In a memo from T. Mulvena, ‘National Manager Strategic Projects’ at MSD and Work and Income, and Steve McGill, ‘National Manager Health, Disability and Financial Outcomes’, dated 27 June 2008 and addressed to ‘Regional Commissioners’, in which a “designated doctor” training program was proposed, it was stated, that <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Work and Income has never provided training for designated doctors in the past.”</em></strong> Dr David Bratt as PHA and Dr David Rankin as ‘Senior Advisor’ were mentioned as supporting the move for “training”.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Officially this “training” was supposed to be “neutral” and “objective” and only intended to “assist” designated doctors to understand the WINZ and MSD system and certain administrative and other requirements, but there is sufficient information showing, that the very resolutely “work ability focused” Dr David Bratt has used presentation- and apparently also “training” material, which clearly has a strong, underlying bias to it. In another memo from 27 March 2006 Dr Rankin had already proposed to the ‘Working New Zealand – SDD’ department within MSD, that the role of “designated doctors” needed to be refined. He recommended in one points under his summary:<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Designated doctors should be engaged through a robust selection process and be involved in regular training and education.”</strong></em> In other memos, like one from 05 June 2007, Dr Rankin suggested other changes, raising issues with the then present use and selection of “designated doctors”, and how a <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“robust”</strong> new GP Second Opinion service program should be rolled out. In this the roles of RHAs and RDAs (working under protocols and oversight by the PHA and PDA) were described, how they should be involved in client referrals to “designated doctors”.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Training sessions were held during late 2008 all over New Zealand, and the clear intention was to “train” all “designated doctors” that MSD and WINZ could reach. The new Health and Disability Coordinators (HDCs) were involved in supplying materials, contacting doctors, and so forth. “Training scenarios” and other material were used by Dr Bratt and Dr Rankin, who conducted the training, and looking at those shows that especially the “scenarios” and some “presentations” contained quite “biased” case scenarios and other information, which portrayed sick and disabled beneficiaries as tending to be dishonest, untrustworthy, shirkers, malingerers or exaggerators. Participating doctors were offered “medical education credits”, an “education fee” of $ 150 for participating, possible help with “travel arrangements”, and in some cases even with “accommodation”.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Another internal MSD memo I have seen is from Debbie Costello and Barbara-Anne Stenson as Programme Managers, addressed to Dr Bratt, T. Mulvena and two others, and dated 23 January 2008. It outlines proposed measures, resources and approaches to take in the planned “Designated Doctor Training”, and on page 5 also says rather openly under ‘Costs will include’:<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Food and non-alcoholic drinks would be provided on arrival, or to assist social networking after the formal presentation.”</strong></em> On page 3 the same memo states that: <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Attending a training course should be compulsory for a doctor to remain a designated doctor.”</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">In yet another memo dated 19 November 2008 Dr Bratt wrote to Mike Smith, ‘GM Strategy and Service Development’ at MSD, that the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">fees</strong> paid to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“designated doctors”</strong> doing examinations and giving recommendations on WINZ clients <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">should be reviewed and “adjusted”</strong>. It appears that training session attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the way MSD would pay them for the assessments they provided. He refers to an established list of contract “Designated Doctors”. Clearly the WINZ “designated doctors” had expressed their concerns about the time required to complete assessments, which in 1995 was estimated to take only about 30 minutes, but which now was closer to 45 minutes per client. Also did Dr Bratt raise that “designated doctors” had experienced losses in revenue from assessments, as invalid’s benefit applications and reviews were now no longer regularly requiring reports from them. Dr Bratt did thus suggest that MSD increase the standard fee paid to “designated doctors” be increased to $ 180 per examination and report, plus an extra $ 60 for such a doctor for requesting an additional report from a client’s host or own doctor. Dr Bratt argued that GPs generally and on average earn (or charge) $ 250 an hour. Also did Dr Bratt state that over the 6 months until October 2008 DD reports asked for by WINZ increased by 60 per cent, due to the new approaches taken. I have no information on what increase was ever agreed to, but it must be concluded, that a significant increase occurred, as at one stage I heard of $ 136 per report being paid a few of years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">There are also memos and other information showing that Dr Bratt proposed training for ‘Medical Appeal Board’ members. The information shows that Dr Bratt was concerned about board members not focusing strictly and firmly enough on only medical conditions and relevant information on these, and on how health issues impacted on the ability to work. Some other concerns were about the selection of appropriate members, and that panel members were not supposed to “diagnose” or “examine” appellants, only question them and examine medical records and other relevant information to make decisions.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE OF DESIGNATED DOCTORS:</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">According to MSD’s “official” policies and principles, and certainly according to the law, designated doctors doing reviews under the old sections 44 and 54B (3) and (4) of the Act <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(now sections 40C, and also 88E (4) and (5))</strong>, are supposed to be <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">INDEPENDENT</strong> medical professionals providing only <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">truly INDEPENDENT opinions</strong>, assessments and advice. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Yet, how “independent” would such designated doctors be, while they get “trained”, “hosted” and paid by the very agency asking them to provide “independent” opinions on clients and applicants dependent on welfare support from that agency?</strong></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This somehow goes down badly with the principles of natural justice and the law, does it not?</strong><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Information obtained under the O.I.A. discloses that <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">almost all designated doctors are nowadays simply common GPs (general practitioners)</strong>. There was in early 2011 NO psychologist available as a designated doctor, while the Social Security Act does in old sections 44 and 54B (3) and (4) <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(now ss 40C and 88E (4) and (5))</strong> provide for a “choice” (with good reasons) between a medical practitioner (a specialist doctor, registrar, psychiatrist or GP) and a PSYCHOLOGIST (to presumably examine mental health or psychological conditions and disabilities).</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">There were in 2011 also only 10 psychiatrists listed nationwide as designated doctors, which hardly meets the needs of sick and disabled with mental health problems, who would be spread across the whole of New Zealand. With about 30 to 40 per cent of invalid’s and sickness beneficiaries at least partly having psychiatric, psychological and/or addiction issues, it is a rather dismissive approach by MSD, to rely largely only on common “generalist” doctors like GPs, when the vast majority of them have NO (or totally insufficient) expertise and qualifications in psychology or psychiatry.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">I have been given information by persons affected, who were asked by WINZ case managers to undergo a review by a designated doctor. The Act does offer an affected client or applicant some input, because s 44 and s 54B (3) and (4) <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(now 40C, and also 88E (4) and (5))</strong> speak of an agreement between WINZ and a client to be attempted on who to see as such a doctor. Yet in at least some (I dare to presume very many) cases, the client is NOT offered any choice and input, and rather gets told by a case manager who to see! That is a breach of the law. Only if there is no agreement at first between an affected client and WINZ, then can WINZ case managers (usually in consultation with a Regional Health or Disability Advisor) propose and appoint a particular “designated doctor”. In many cases a client is only presented a short list of selected designated doctors to pick from, again not offered any sufficient input. In any case, it appears that MSD and WINZ have their preferred designated doctors, which I presume is, because they are more likely to make the decisions WINZ would prefer! A doctor I spoke with confided to me that he knows a colleague who does a very high number of reviews for WINZ. MSD have themselves records, proving that a small percentage of designated doctors handle a very large volume of examinations (assessments) for WINZ.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Also have there been issues with the appointments to so-called <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Medical Appeal Boards</strong>, who under old section 53A (now new s 10B) hear appeals by the former invalid’s and sickness benefit recipients (now ‘Supported Living’ and ‘Jobseeker’ benefits), or applicants for those benefits. Applicants and benefit recipients can appeal against decisions by WINZ staff, that are based on a “designated doctor” recommendations, with which a client may disagree.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">There is no further appeal possible after such a board makes a decision. Strangely also many “designated doctors” again sit on such boards, although not the same ones who conducted the disputed assessment or review. Members of such a board are appointed by MSD “medical appeals coordinators”, who are placed in their regional offices.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">This is going on under the regime of MSD and their new Principal Health Advisor Dr Bratt, who believes that work is the best kind of “medicine” to assist sick persons on benefits to get well again. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Since at least 2010, Dr Bratt appears to have felt very emboldened by the new approach under the new National led government towards social security – and welfare policy in general.</strong> He has shown this in the many “presentations” he has since then given, and comments he has made to the media and in public forums.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">There is a presentation that Dr Bratt, in that instance “officially” together with his colleague Anne Hawker, that is called <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘Ready, Steady, Crook Are we killing our patients with kindness’</strong>, which was given to a GP conference in Christchurch in 2010. IN it he makes bizarre statements like this one on page 13:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">“Why these cases?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">● in both a patient requested a specific “service”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">from you – and these have clinical or health</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">consequences/outcomes – both positive and</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">negative</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">● <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">did you react the same way to each? – the<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />drug seeker and the benefit seeker?</strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">● and why?“</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the same presentation Dr Bratt then does in further comments on pages 20 (see reference to “opiates”), 21 and 35 link the medical certification for benefit purposes to promoting drug use – with the risk of causing addiction. It culminates in this extreme comparison:</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">“• the “benefit” – an addictive debilitating drug</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">with significant adverse effects to both the</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">patient and their family (whānau) – not</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">dissimilar to smoking</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">• and NZ GPs write 350,000 scripts for it every</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">year!“</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On page 30 of that presentation (like others that followed) Dr Bratt lists the doctor patient relationship and patient advocacy as “barriers” to “managing health and work issues”!</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dr Bratt has since then continually linked benefit dependence to drug dependence</strong>, or made bizarre comparisons between the two. Also has he presented disputed, unproved statistical information, like that about “30 per cent” of GPs “had experienced a sense of threat and intimidation”! This appears to be based on questionable surveys conducted, like the one by ‘NZ Doctor’ magazine, asking ambiguous or too unspecified questions. He repeatedly claims that being on a benefit is as bad for your health as smoking 10 packets of cigarettes a day, and more dangerous than working in the most dangerous jobs (e.g. on an oil drilling platform in the North Sea).</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Furthermore has Dr Bratt drawn substantially on supposed <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“findings”</strong> from <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">UK “research”</strong>, like the ones conducted by the ones of <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Professors Gordon Waddell</strong> and <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mansel Aylward</strong>, who both worked for the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘Unum Provident’</strong> sponsored <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘Centre for Psychosocial & Disability Research’</strong>, based at Cardiff University in the UK. Other similarly inclined “experts” like Wessely and Burton also get quoted. Financed by the highly controversial (and repeatedly convicted) US insurance giant, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Aylward and Waddell prepared reports that serve as supposed “scientific” evidence, to prove that open employment is both “good for a person’s health” and even “therapeutic”.</strong>Much of the research is based on other reports and on statistics that appear to simply have been used selectively to prove a pre-conceived point and message. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Their adopted position is that many mental illnesses, same as musculo-skeletal conditions that people suffer from, are mostly only “illness belief”, and therefore medically “unproved”.</strong> This “research” has been used by the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK, which was during Mansel Aylward’s employment there as Chief Medical Officer also repeatedly “advised” by the same insurance company, and which then led to disastrous consequences of welfare reforms there, resulting in over 1,100 deaths of those affected in 2011 alone. There is evidence of Professor Aylward’s long relationship to Unum Provident, and he was later appointed as the director of the mentioned “research centre”.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">It is not surprising then to find references to those “findings” and other selected “research” in Dr Bratt’s many presentations, interviews and speeches. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In this year Dr Bratt has even now started using presentations together with Professor Mansel Aylward, like one which was given to the annual ‘Rotorua GP CME’ in June 2013.</strong> Both spoke there and at some other conferences, and held a joint media interview with ‘NZ Doctor Magazine’. Both appear to be working closely together; and Professor Aylward has been advising MSD and the present government on welfare reforms, especially on how to assess and treat sick and disabled.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Below are some links to a presentation and some You Tube videos that show what “presentations” Dr David Bratt made to the Welfare Working Group Forum in 2010:</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="background-color: #ead1dc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘Benefit Sunshine’, PDF presentation by Dr Bratt, see this link:</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://igps.victoria.ac.nz/WelfareWorkingGroup/Downloads/David-Bratt-Benefit-Sunshine.pdf" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://igps.victoria.ac.nz/WelfareWorkingGroup/Downloads/David-Bratt-Benefit-Sunshine.pdf</a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">(this is the more “moderate version” in circulation, there is a longer presentation with more drastic “information” at the end of it!).</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">For U TUBE Clips and the rest of the article see:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">http://nzsocialjusticeblog2013.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/designated-doctors-used-by-work-and-income-some-also-used-by-acc-the-truth-about-them/</span>presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-43944991573722046022014-03-07T15:29:00.002+13:002015-11-02T00:08:57.659+13:00Work Capability Tests Based on Flawed Researcch<h3 class="title" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MEDICAL AND WORK CAPABILITY ASSESSMENTS – BASED ON THE CONTROVERSIAL BIO PSYCHO-SOCIAL MODEL, AIMED AT DISENTITELING AFFECTED FROM WELFARE BENEFITS AND ACCIDENT COMPENSATION: THE AYLWARD – UNUM LINK</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘An article summarising comprehensive, revealing research results’</strong></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Introduction:</strong></div>
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Media revelations during 2012 exposed a kind of “exit strategy” that ACC has apparently been using to off-load complex and costly claim cases by using in at least some cases highly questionable practices and medical assessors.<br />
(see YouTube links: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNkN3DW1W6s" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNkN3DW1W6s</a> and<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55LzKcivWuM" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55LzKcivWuM</a> from Sept. 2012).</div>
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Following this, recent developments in the social security system in New Zealand now also give rise to immense concern, as work capability assessments will be applied to virtually all disabled and seriously ill, suffering degrees of incapacity.</div>
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On 15 July 2013 fundamental changes to the New Zealand social security system were introduced. Most in the public only learned that 7 former benefit categories would be merged into 3 new categories, that beneficiaries caring for children now have to fulfil certain social obligations, that jobseekers may face sanctions if they do not pass a required drug test, and that benefit recipients facing a warrant for arrest, could lose their benefit, if they would not comply with new rules.</div>
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A certainly much more significant set of changes also came into force, which have hardly been taken note by the media and the public. This includes the new, extremely stringent approach by Work and Income (WINZ) to require sick, disabled and incapacitated beneficiaries, to comply with greater work expectations. All former sickness beneficiaries were transferred onto the new Jobseeker Support category, and they will face new, different re-assessments for their capacity to work or train.</div>
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Work capability will no longer solely – or primarily – be determined by information on medical certificates issued by medical practitioners or other authorised health professionals. There will be new additional measures, including expected, “self assessments” (on pre-designed forms), additional interviews with Work and Income staff tasked with finding ways to refer sick, injured or disabled back into some form of work on the open market. Further medical examinations by WINZ-trained and paid “designated doctors” can also be required, to assess what work a client can do.</div>
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Few will comprehend the magnitude and significance of the new approach, which, when compared with similar, earlier changes introduced in the United Kingdom, can only be described as the biggest attack on the social security system of New Zealand since at least 1991. The new changes under the ‘Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Act 2013’, are nothing but a relentless drive to force many sick, disabled and incapacitated to look at least for part time work. The claims by the government and Ministry, that the intention is to “help” people, who are “locked in” benefit dependence, are nothing but cunning, misleading statements to disguise the true intentions and agenda. The goal of that agenda is above all: Reducing the number of persons on welfare benefits, and by doing so – COST CUTTING!</div>
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Already with the introduction of the ‘Future Focus’ policies in 2010 did Work and Income introduce a new approach following one used by the ‘Department of Work and Pensions’ (DWP) in the United Kingdom (UK), to rather look at what clients “can do” than what they “cannot do”. From 15 July 2013 a new ‘Work Capacity Medical Certificate’ is being used, which puts the emphasis on assessing what obstacles a client faces, to return to work, before the actual health conditions are being looked at.</div>
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Virtually ALL beneficiaries, including those on the new Supported Living Payment, onto which mostly former Invalid’s Benefit recipients have been transferred, will have to attend interviews and assessments for determining capacity to at least attend work preparation obligations, when being asked to do so.</div>
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(See these links: <a href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2013/0013/latest/DLM4750211.html" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2013/0013/latest/DLM4750211.html</a>and<br />
<a href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2013/0013/latest/DLM4750221.html" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2013/0013/latest/DLM4750221.html</a> ).</div>
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On page 40 (of 48) on the new application form for the ‘Supported Living Payment’ – under “obligations” and “privacy” it says:</div>
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“2. Work preparation obligations if you have a health condition,<br />
disability or injury</div>
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I understand that while I get this benefit I’ll have an obligation, when asked, to:licants<br />
• attend and participate in interviews to determine if I have the capacity to have work preparation obligations<br />
I understand that if I’m assessed as having the capacity, I’ll have the following work preparation obligations to:<br />
• attend and take part in work preparation interviews, where Work and Income ask me to<br />
• attend and take part in work related activities or programmes such as a work assessment, a programme or seminar to increase particular skills or enhance motivation where Work and Income ask me to<br />
• attend and take part in any other activity that Work and Income require me to (including rehabilitation but not medical treatment, voluntary work or activity in the community).”</div>
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(Link to form for downloading form:<br />
<a href="http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/forms/supported-living-payment-application.pdf" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/forms/supported-living-payment-application.pdf</a>)</div>
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It says on page 39 (of 48) on the new application form for the Jobseeker Support benefit – under “obligations” and “privacy”:</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
“3. Work obligations if you have a health condition, disability or injury that<br />
stops you working full time</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
I understand that while I get this benefit, if I have a health condition, injury or disability that<br />
means I can only work part-time, I have the following part-time work obligations to:<br />
• be available for and take reasonable steps to get a suitable part-time job<br />
• take any offer of suitable part-time or temporary work, or work that is seasonal or subsidised<br />
• attend and take part in any suitable job interviews Work and Income ask me to<br />
• take and pass any drug test potential employers or training providers require<br />
• attend and take part in interviews with Work and Income as required<br />
• work with Work and Income to plan how I’ll find a suitable job<br />
• take part in any other activities that Work and Income refer me to, such as attend any job<br />
training courses, seminars, work experience or work assessments (including rehabilitation, but not medical treatment) that will improve my work readiness or help me get work<br />
• let Work and Income know how I’m meeting my work obligations as often as Work and Income reasonably requires.<br />
I understand that while I get this benefit, if I have a health condition, injury or disability that<br />
means I am unable to work or can only work less than 15 hours a week, I will not be asked<br />
to meet work obligations until my situation changes and in the meantime I will have the<br />
following work preparation obligations to:<br />
• take reasonable steps to prepare and plan for work<br />
• attend and take part in work preparation interviews, where Work and Income ask me to<br />
• attend and take part in work related activities or programmes such as a work assessment,<br />
a programme or seminar to increase particular skills or enhance motivation where<br />
Work and Income ask me to<br />
• attend and take part in any other activity that Work and Income require me to (including<br />
rehabilitation but not medical treatment, voluntary work or activity in the community).”</div>
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It says on page 40 (of 48) on the new application form for the Jobseeker Support benefit – under “obligations” and “privacy”:</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
“6. Work ability assessment<br />
Where I’ve been asked to I’ll have an obligation to attend and participate in a work ability<br />
assessment.”<br />
Applicants andartners<br />
“7. Working with a Contracted Service Provider<br />
Where I’ve been asked to work with a Contracted Service Provider I’ll have an obligation to<br />
co-operate with them and to:<br />
• attend and participate in any interview with them<br />
• report to them on how I’m meeting my obligations<br />
• complete assessments with them.“</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">
Link for downloading form:<br />
<a href="http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/forms/jobseeker-support-application.pdf" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/forms/jobseeker-support-application.pdf</a><br />
Links to a sample Work Capacity medical certificate and additional information – from the website of the ‘Royal NZ College of General Practitioners’:<br />
<a href="http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/assets/WI-Medical-Certificate-Sample.pdf" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/assets/WI-Medical-Certificate-Sample.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/assets/Work-Capacity-Medical-Certificate-HDS017W.pdf" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/assets/Work-Capacity-Medical-Certificate-HDS017W.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/changes-to-the-benefit-system-on-15-july/" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/changes-to-the-benefit-system-on-15-july/</a><br />
Link to law change requiring WINZ clients to work with contracted providers:<br />
<a href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2013/0013/latest/DLM4750153.html" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2013/0013/latest/DLM4750153.html</a></div>
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With news and other reports about the new approach in establishing work capability for sick, injured and disabled, the name of a Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, as well as names of other members of a core group of medical and health “experts”, many linked to the ‘Unum Provident’ funded ‘Centre for Psychosocial and Disability Research’ at Cardiff University, Wales, UK, have repeatedly been mentioned.</div>
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Also have there been frequent references to the so-called “bio psycho-social model” (BPS model), which is strongly associated with, and promoted by Professor Mansel Aylward and their school of thought. He and others have been strongly recommending this model for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and illnesses that lead to degrees of impairment and incapacity to function – or to do work.</div>
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It has been said and written in UK based media that Mansel Aylward was given a “golden parachute” by the ‘Unum Provident’ insurance company, after he finally resigned from his position as ‘Chief Medical Officer’ for the ‘Department of Work and Pensions’ (DWP) in April 2005. ‘Unum’ offered substantial funding for a newly established ‘Research Centre for Psychosocial and Disability Research’ at Cardiff University in 2005 – that would be led by Professor Aylward.</div>
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Aylward’s name has repeatedly surfaced here in New Zealand, and it was reported last year, that he met with Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett, and also with members of a ‘Health and Disability Panel’, set up by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to “advise” on “medical” matters, on the way medical assessments, possible rehabilitation and enhanced work referrals, could be further developed as part of the wider social welfare reforms.</div>
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Aylward furthermore held speeches at various conferences and meetings with groups of medical professionals here in New Zealand, and he has been accepted by the ‘Counties Manukau District Health Board’, the Ministry of Social Development, certain general practitioner- and other health professional organisations, and Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett, as an advisor on health and welfare matters.</div>
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See links:<br />
<a href="http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/articles/cryfhaur-cysylltiadau-meddygol%E2%80%93seland-newydd-8275.html" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/articles/cryfhaur-cysylltiadau-meddygol–seland-newydd-8275.html</a>; <a href="http://www.gpcme.co.nz/speakers/aylward_2013.php" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.gpcme.co.nz/speakers/aylward_2013.php</a>;<br />
<a href="http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2013/wr-cab-paper-c-health-and-disability.pdf" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="color: #20a3ca; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2013/wr-cab-paper-c-health-and-disability.pdf</a></div>
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To understand who Mansel Aylward is, and what supposed “expert” advice he presents, we can look at readily available information on the internet. It will become evident that Professor Aylward, with his version of the “bio psycho-social model”, and with the strong private health- and disability-insurance sector lobbies, and also government backers behind him, has with his efforts achieved that the medical professions have almost been seized upon. The professions have been inundated with reports, speeches, campaigns and policy releases supporting a new, controversial doctrine – or at best theory! It is time to shine light on what is behind the resolute drive to gradually disentitle sick, disabled and incapacitated from support they were traditionally ensured by way of insurance payments or welfare benefits.</div>
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In the following 13 parts of this article and analysis I will present a wide range of available, factual, revealing information that is backed up by plenty of resource material, which can be found via the internet and in other accessible sources.</div>
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For the rest of the article see: http://nzsocialjusticeblog2013.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/medical-and-work-capability-assessments-based-on-the-controversial-bio-psycho-social-model/</div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-41481493035276160492014-02-13T14:01:00.000+13:002014-02-13T14:01:00.830+13:00The Health Benefits of Work?Open Letter to Royal Australasian College of Physicians<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Dr John O'Donnell FRACP<br />
<br />
New Zealand President<br />
<br />
Royal Australasian College of Physicians<br />
<br />
PO Box 10601<br />
<br />
WELLINGTON<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Dr O’Donnell<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On behalf of the members of my Union branch and all affected by the influence your prestigious college exerts, I write to you a matter of grave concern to us all. What concerns us is evidence that the advocacy of one of your constituent faculties, the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM), is having consequences it may not have foreseen and which in the current economic climate and under the current political regime could have adverse health effects which far outweigh any benefits it seeks to bring about. This being so, we think it incumbent on the RCAP to issue a public statement criticising the unbalanced position of the AFOEM and the opportunistic use the government has made of it, and bring this to the attention of the government, opposition MPs and the media.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The adverse consequences I have referred to follow from the use made by the present government of the AFOEM’s Position Statement (1) on the health benefits of work. The statement is quoted on Work and Income's application form for work assessment (2) in a blatant attempt to influence G.P s to disqualify applicants from the Supported Living payment. Moreover, one of our supporters (who, for understandable reasons wishes to remain anonymous) reports having obtained under the Official Information Act evidence that WINZ 'designated doctors' are being indoctrinated in the converse of the 'health benefits of work', viz. the allegedly adverse health consequences of living on a benefit. The idea is even being propagated that benefit dependency is an addiction! (2).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It is no secret that the government's benefit reforms are intended to reduce the number of beneficiaries by tens of thousands: 40,000 has been mentioned as a target. <br />
<br />
If these reforms were genuinely promulgated as a public health measure, we would expect the government to say so publicly, and to back its words with deeds by ensuring there were jobs available for job-seekers to apply for. The fact that they have done neither surely indicates firstly that they know such a claim could not withstand the storm of criticism it would be bound to provoke, and secondly (when considered in conjunction with other employment-related legislation) that the real purpose is altogether different: A predictable consequence of throwing tens of thousands more onto the labour market at a time of global and local recession is intensified competition for scarce jobs, resulting in greater stresses on individuals - many of whom have mental and/or physical ailments- and downward pressure on wages. The latter effect will certainly be seen as desirable by employer friendly government keen to restore business profitability, and the measures taken to achieve it signify that it considers the inflicted stresses worthwhile. Any such government would naturally be delighted if its harsh measures could be represented as beneficial from the point of view of health, and would welcome such advocacy as the AOEFM's with open arms. <br />
<br />
It would be truly shocking if the AFOEM foresaw and approved of this consequence of its advocacy, but not so surprising if any corporate interests it may serve (such as insurance companies) did so. This possibility is further discussed below.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile New Zealand's appalling childhood poverty rates have finally been getting the media attention they deserve, as has the link between poverty and illness. We find it remarkable that despite what it says in your admirable Public Health and Policy Statement (3) about 'complex interactions between social and economic factors', nowhere on your website can be found any reference whatsoever to any link between poverty and illness, such as is ably described in the following article in NZ Herald of 23rd Oct 2013. (4) As a specialist faculty of RCAP, it is somewhat more understandable that the AFOEM should in its Position Paper omit discussion of poverty as a more direct causative factor in illness than unemployment. <br />
<br />
We would, however, expect a scientific investigation to consider alternative hypotheses to the one advanced, and to acknowledge that statistical correlation is not evidence of direct causation. Even less is it ‘compelling’ evidence, especially when the evidence of an alternative explanation of the data is so strong.<br />
<br />
What is ironical is the position paper’s acknowledgement, albeit without any discussion of its significance of two observations that conflict with its primary hypothesis. Firstly that for a certain stratum of society the possession of wealth is a sufficient prophylactic against the allegedly adverse health effects of idleness! Secondly, the inclusion of children in the statistics adduced in support of the 'health benefits of work' hypothesis is 'compelling evidence' (to use a phrase AFOEM has used and the government is fond of quoting) not of the health benefits of work (unless the AFOEM attributes childhood illness to idleness!), but of the adverse health effects of poverty. And let us not forget that increased poverty is the inevitable consequence of the benefit reforms. For the government to acknowledge the latter would be fatal to one of its main policy platforms. Hence it's state of denial.<br />
<br />
The noted omissions would be explicable if the AFOEM's research was 'commissioned research and, as such, pre-disposed towards ideologically determined outcomes' (to quote Prof Alison Ravetz' appraisal of similar research done in the UK). <br />
<br />
What is particularly disturbing is evidence of the influence on the AFOEM of Sir Mansel Aylward. (5) Aylward was formerly Chief Medical Adviser, Medical Director and Chief Scientist at the UK Department of Work and Pensions, and is now HOD in an academic chair sponsored by Unum, the world's largest disability insurer. (6) Not only has Unum been thoroughly discredited for the scale on which it has attempted to evade payouts (California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has state that is is 'an outlaw company...that for years has operated in an illegal fashion.' (7) A Yale University research paper commented that, with regards to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and other cases, Unum was, 'engaged in a program of deliberate bad faith denial of meritorious claims'; (8). Moreover Unum has according to one disability researcher from Leeds University 'demonstrated an interest in taking over the UK welfare system' (9). <br />
<br />
It was Aylward who devised the Personal Capability assessment (PCA) to which British claimants are subjected, the administration of which is contacted out to a private sector firm ATOS. Amongst the charges levelled against the sponsors of Aylward's academic chair by the insurance commissioners of a number of U.S. states (7) is 'excessive reliance of in-house medical professionals.' If Aylward does not fit that description, he comes perilously close to it. The RACP should be seriously concerned for its reputation for scientific impartiality.<br />
<br />
Aylward’s version of the bio-psycho-social-model of illness differs from that of the RACP’s public policy statement in its emaciated interpretation of the social dimension, which conveniently (for the purposes of such as WINZ and Unum) restricts it to the immediate circle of the client’s family, employer and caregivers, and excludes capital, income distribution and such redoubtable social institutions as, governments, universities, professional associations, trans-national insurance companies etc. Moreover it lends itself to interpretations that stigmatise the infirm and disabled, as has happened in the UK. (10)<br />
<br />
The United Kingdom is further down the path of work-focused welfare reform than is New Zealand, and the results it has achieved- little published in New Zealand, are truly alarming, and include the ‘ruthless pressurising (of) the sick and disabled into work’ and thousands dying while on work-related activity placements. (11) <br />
<br />
Insofar as the success claimed by the government in reducing expenditure on welfare is a consequence of AFOEM's advocacy, one consequence of that advocacy is increased financial stress on beneficiaries disqualified from receipt of the supported living payment without any guarantee of employment (12) It is precisely when the income loss affects ability to meet expenses for healthy food, accommodation, power and doctors bills that the 'complex interactions between social and economic factors' referred to in your Public Health and Policy Statement take effect. <br />
<br />
In summary, it bears repeating that the government has reasons for reluctance to acknowledge the reality of a link between child poverty and illness, is totally reliant on unregulated and demonstrably unreliable market forces to eradicate poverty and is evidently therefore profoundly grateful for such advocacy as is offered by AFOEM which, supported by the continued silence of the RACP, diverts blame for a disgraceful state of affairs from the policies which perpetuate it onto the victims. There are grounds for suspecting that in issuing its Position Statement the AFOEM has been manipulated by corporate interests into lending its prestige as a professional body toward endorsing goals that have nothing to do with health and everything to do with profit-making. <br />
<br />
The most shameful episodes in the history of the medical profession have been when in the name of science it has given ideological support to slave-owning oligarchs and fascists. Greater vigilance is evidently required to ensure nothing like that ever happens again.<br />
<br />
Yours sincerely<br />
<br />
D.K. Henderson<br />
<br />
Honorary Secretary<br />
<br />
Waitemata Branch of Unite Union<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Footnotes: ___________________________________________________<br />
<br />
(1) AFOEM Position Statement: http://www.racp.org.nz/i ndex.cfm?objectid=F07790EC-0F2D-D1EB-4298E5D44500162A <br />
<br />
Consensus Statement: http://www.racp.org.nz/index.cfm?objectid=57063EA7-0A13-1AB6-E0CA75D0CB353BA8 <br />
<br />
The fact that WINZ erroneously attributes a quote from AFOEM's position statement to its consensus statement could signify that it has not even studied the evidence that it blithely quotes as being 'compelling.'<br />
<br />
(2) http://www.nzherald.co.nz/simon-collins/news/article.cfm?a_id=135&objectid=10898616<br />
<br />
(3) We wholeheartedly approve of RACP's excellent public health and social policy statement, which can be seen in full at: <br />
<br />
http://www.racp.org.nz/page/policy-and-advocacy/public-health-and-social-policy <br />
<br />
However it should not be taken to endorse Aylward's (and the AFOEM's and WINZ's retrograde version of bio-psycho-social medicine).<br />
<br />
(4) Child Poverty http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11168848<br />
<br />
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1312/S00111/unicef-nz-statement-on-child-poverty-monitor.htm<br />
<br />
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11144397<br />
<br />
(5) http://www.racp.org.nz/page/racp-faculties/australasian-faculty-of-occupational-and-environmental-medicine/realising-the-health-benefits-of-work/may-2010-video-presentation-professor-sir-mansel-aylward/<br />
<br />
(6) http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=2940<br />
<br />
(7) http://www.austinmehr.com/about-us/articles/articles-austin-mehr/103-unum-life-insurance-fined <br />
<br />
(8) A Yale University research paper commented that, with regards to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and other cases, Unum was, 'engaged in a program of deliberate bad faith denial of meritorious claims'<br />
<br />
(9) http://disability-studies.leeds.ac.uk/files/library/FROM-BRITISH-WELFARE-STATE-TO-ANOTHER-AMERICAN-STATE-2013-3rd-edit-FINAL.pdf<br />
<br />
(10) ) http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/<br />
<br />
(11) http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2008/05/work-benefit-claimants-reform; <br />
<br />
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2180899/Flawed-disability-tests-send-genuinely-s ick-unable-work.html<br />
<br />
(12) Benefit Cuts http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11144397 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1401/S00024/changes-to-invalids-benefit-sees-beneficiaries-income-drop.htm <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05194312869107285499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-82721521621420941422014-02-13T13:53:00.000+13:002014-02-13T13:53:27.977+13:00Welcome to the MachineA UW member recently received a letter from WINZ thanking him for notifying a change of address and going on to inform him of his right to have that decision reviewed! Evidently the decision to send him that letter was made by a computer programme, as was the letter itself. No doubt it is the same computer programme that is responsible for suspending thousands of benefits when the unfortunate recipients are a little late lodging a review form or turning up to an interview. Yesterday morning (the day that Paula Bennett claimed NZ has one of the world's most generous welfare systems) our secretary received a call from a distressed invalid beneficiary who had built up $500 of debt since having benefit stopped for lodging her review for late. So much for generosity. If someone could design software with a heart, Paula would have it cut out.Secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05194312869107285499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-48380896885029001942013-11-19T01:57:00.004+13:002013-11-19T01:57:59.517+13:00Remits to Unite National Conference and AGM The Unite Waitemata AGM passed the following remits to be sent to the Unite National Conference and AGM on 25 and 26 November at the Freeman's Bay Community Centre.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite calls for
minimum wages and benefits to be at the level of a living income.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite Calls for
One Year’s Paid Parental Leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite calls for
all carers of their disabled adult family members to have the right to be
employed by the state on a living wage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite Calls for
Working for Families Tax Credits to be extended to Beneficiary Families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite opposes all
benefit sanctions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite opposes
compulsory drug tests, compulsory training, working without pay, compulsory
childcare and compulsory medical visits for beneficiaries and their families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite opposes work
testing of parents, the sick and disabled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite opposes the
use of WINZ trained designated doctors to provide alternative diagnoses to the
diagnosis provided by the beneficiary’s own doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite opposes
“income management” for youth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite opposes
contracting out WINZ functions<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to
private<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>providers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite calls on the
Government to create real jobs for those that need them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-78115079910111817402013-11-19T01:34:00.000+13:002013-11-19T01:34:13.834+13:00 President's Report 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> Report of President, Janet Robin, to the Unite Waitemata AGM, 8 November 2013</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p>Kia Ora Koutou,</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In 2013 the
attacks on welfare continued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The Social
Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill, was passed in
April and came into effect in July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Previous benefits were collapsed into three: Job Seeker Support, Sole
Parent Support and Supported Living Payment. Most people are expected to look
for work including the sick and most sole parents. The only exceptions are
those on the Supported Living Payment, and some sole parents but they can be
asked for a work plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The welfare
changes are scary, and a media survey indicated that beneficiaries are now
perceived to be the group suffering the most prejudice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Sanctions are
being widely used, throwing many beneficiaries into desperation and destitution,
and WINZ is increasingly using private contractors to administer job- seeking
activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many beneficiaries are forced to do these
activities, which can include to doing slave labour for private companies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can include grandparents, those who
already have jobs, the mentally ill, and mothers with babies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Job seeking
requirements and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the threat of punitive
sanctions are creating enormous anxiety for many beneficiaries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">WINZ case officers
are acting with increasing disrespect and apparent arbitrary cruelty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is commonplace to refuse food grants even
when the beneficiary is hungry, and entitled to one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In November 2012 I
wrote a submission opposing the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work
Focus) Amendment Bill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">At the Unite National
AGM in November 2012, we presented a remit that Unite ask the CTU to call a National
Stop Work meeting against the welfare reforms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An amended remit was passed asking the CTU to call a National Day of
Action against the welfare reforms. Our remit opposing the Trans Pacific
Partnership Agreement was passed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In December 2012 we
held a protest to "Stop Paula's War on the Poor" outside the Mt
Albert Baptist Church, where Paula Bennett was speaking at the invitation of
National M.P. Melissa Lee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In February 2013
an invited speaker gave us a talk about the way Dr Bratt, the Principal Medical
Adviser<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of WINZ , is training designated
doctors and regional health and disability advisors, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how to deny benefits to people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In late 2012 and
early 2013 our Vice President Ivan Sharma gathered support for a Day of Action against
the sale of State Housing, which was held in April 2013. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He created a facebook <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>event page; our members handed out leaflets,
and I issued a press statement. Ivan and Bob attended Tamaki Housing Action
Group meetings to co-ordinate plans for the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We held a mock auction of the office of
National Party MP Melissa Lee. We were supported by a number of groups and
individuals including AAAP. Afterwards we protested outside some state houses
in Haverstock Rd, which had already been sold. We acted in solidarity with the
Tamaki Housing Action Group who held a protest in Glen Innes against developers
on the same day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our protest was filmed
by Maori Television and appeared on Te Kaea that night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">On May Day, 1st
May, we attended a picket outside MacDonalds Queen St, which was organised by
Unite. On the same day National introduced Youth Rates <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>starting- out 16 -17 year olds, trainees from
16-19 years,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>adult 18 -19 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>year <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>old workers who had been on a benefit in the
previous 6 months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In June Unite
Waitemata and Auckland Action Against Poverty protested in the evening outside
a public meeting held by Paula Bennett at her office entitled " Safer
Communities.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In July, the new
benefit categories came into effect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We attended a
protest<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in support of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>beggars' rights, outside Smith and Caughey's
in Queen St. This protest had been called because Smith and Caughey's,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and some Council members and
organisations<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>including Mike Lee, and
the Heart of Auckland, were calling for restrictions on beggar's rights to beg.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Hone Harawira was
trying to introduce a Feed the Kids Bill into Parliament about this time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>National later replaced this with one providing
milk <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">weet-bix breakfasts
in low- decile schools. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In August we held
an evening protest outside Paula Bennett's office where she held another public
meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We created a facebook event,
leafletted, and I promoted it on our blog: waitemataunite.blogspot.co.nz.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I wrote an updated
flyer "Why You Should Join Unite" which we printed and distributed
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also put it onto our blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Dave Bedggood was
interviewed on Radio Waatea about the protest and the welfare changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I wrote a press
statement against the proposed new Child Protection Laws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In September I
helped out at the Impact-on the spot advocacy- organised by the Auckland Action
Against Poverty at New Lynn WINZ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
of our members attended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In October I wrote
a leaflet entitled "How to get WINZ help for Sickness and
Disability".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keith and others have
been distributing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put it onto our
blog as well as some information about the Health and Disability Panel, who
advised on the welfare reforms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've
included information about the Bio Psycho Social <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"work is good for you "
("arbeit macht frei ") approach, which has been imported from the UK
to New Zealand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Our blog:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>waitemataunite.blogspot.co.nz has had 31,634
page views since it started. Our Facebook group Waitemata Unite has 172
members, our Unite Waitemata<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>organiser
page has 540<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends , and our Unite
Waitemata Community Page has 90 members. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We are doing more
advocacy and peer support with some success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes this leads to people coming to our meetings or joining
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are contacting me through our
facebook pages and using our unitewaitemata@gmail.com address. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In October Ivan
and I met with the President of Unite, Gerard Heihir, to see if we we can work
together to promote beneficiary rights, and recruit and organise beneficiaries. One possibility was puting our details on the Unite website. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Most of our
members received membership cards this year, for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-13526765757953586442013-11-01T13:30:00.002+13:002013-11-01T13:30:48.085+13:00AUSTERITY KILLSIf you need scientific evidence that austerity kills it can be found in the 13th April 2013 issue of <em>New Scientist </em>The title of the relevant article is "Austerity's Toxic Legacy: The stress of recession may trigger gene changes that threaten the health of generations" The subtitle summarises the views of medical researchers working in the field. Here are some quotes from the article: The March 2013 issue of <em>The Lancet </em>reveals that "suicides in Europe have soared since the financial crash in 2008, with 1000 extra deaths in England alone by 2010. Like wise, the incidence of mental disorders has increased in countries worst hit by the debt crisis..." "A study as far back as 1979 ... showed that in the UK between 1936 and 1976 deaths from heart disease began to rise between two and three years after periods of high unemployment, and continued for a decade. A 2006 study in the Netherlands covering the years 1815 to 2000 showed that generations born during recessions have abnormally high rates of early death."Secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05194312869107285499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-27864100651172478112013-10-11T23:13:00.001+13:002017-02-25T12:35:13.722+13:00Rape, Poverty and Prostitution . A Woman Shares her Story<div class="page" title="Page 1">
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<h2>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Rape, Poverty and Prostitution.<br />
</b></span><span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: large;"><b>A Woman Shares Her Story.</b></span></h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><b>"</b></span><span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 16px;"><i><b>Each and every time I have been to WINZ for assistence I have been treated as if I were driving at some illigitimate scheme to fraudulantly steal for some made up emergency. Each cent I spent was scrutinised and commented on. Apparently a person is stupid if they can't support a family of four on one hundred and fifty dollars a week, year in and year out. A budget advisor must be seen to insist that blood can be got out of stones"</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 16px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 16px;"><i><b>"Unable to stand this poverty it wasn't very long before I let strangers suck on my tits and pay me for sex."</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>"Not one of the girls I worked with were from a happy life and every one of them was supplementing their benefit"</i></b></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Rape</b></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;">Apart from being raped by my father I was raped by five other men, not to mention the blokes
who thought it their right to take me when I was too drunk to know let alone give consent or
withold it. The first time it happened I was picked up by this handsome older guy when I was
maybe fourteen. He drove me to the beach and just took me. I was so shocked that I just let him. I
was not even present in a way. I don't recall feeling anything accept disgust. I knew fighting him
was a stupid idea as I would not win and I did not want to make him mad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Why did I get in his car? I had seen him driving about the neighbourhood a lot and I liked the
attention he gave me. I thought he might take me into his heart, under his wing. I thought he might
like me, care. I never saw him again. I went home and began peeling the potatoes for mum as
usual. I didn't think about it. It was just another blunted experience that I felt I brought on for
myself. That was the beginning of the pattern of sexually humiliating circumstances I seemed
complicit in.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Like I have said there were plenty of local boys who took their turns with me one after the other,
goading each other along. I'm not sure what to call that experience. I got into the car with these
boys. I 'let' them, but it was not what I wanted for myself. I again thought they would like me. I
thought they would want me in their group, that they would make me their friend, that I would belong to their group. Foolish. I was foolish. I feel so sad for myself then. How utterly needy I
was to go to the lengths I did to be liked. It did not get me liked. I was hated by all the girls then
and the boys of course had no respect but they got plenty of respect from each other for their
degradation of a young woman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">The worst rape happened when I was seventeen. I was walking home from working at the
Village Nest Restaurant late at night. A man in his thirties, I guess, pulled over to give me a lift
home. He seemed safe enough and was really friendly. He was driving a seventies holden, cream,
tidy, clean. He had dark hair and his demeanour turned dark very quickly as he took the opposite
highway to my house. I sat there petrified at what this guy might do. I said nothing at all. I froze
and when he stopped he took my frozen body and emptied himself into me on the back seat.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">I am not sure if I even breathed. He told me to keep quiet and that he would take me home after
he was finished. I think I avoided serious danger by keeping quiet and not fighting. He was so
much bigger than me and I couldn't run as fast as he could drive and I did not want him to use the
force he could wield with the large spanner in the back with us. He kept his word and brought me
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">home. I went to bed and said nothing to anyone. I got in the car after all. Surely it was my own
fault and who would believe me anyway.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">By that time I was beginning to drink severely. The restaurant closed and I went to Wellington
to find work and hopefully start a new life. Oh dear. You don't get a start a new life with the kind
of baggage I had, not without lots of pain. I ended up at Aspell house trying to get a handle on my
alcoholism. I must have been followed about by angels who dragged my but off roads and
incarnated drivers to keep me from dying on the road many times.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">I managed some sobriety but I went back to my mother's house brainwashed now with a
determination not to drink but I was in no way healed and I was not any closer to being loved or
belonging in my family either. I was depressed a lot of the time and It did not take long before I
found more boys to give myself to – so that they might like me. My future husband was one. We
had nothing in common but I got pregnant right about the time he had decided after couple of dates
that I was not the kind of girl he wanted.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Poverty</b></span></div>
<b style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> </b><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;">This is where poverty secured its seat next to me and it stayed like an unwanted companion who
stole from me and hurt me and my son and the children I was yet to have for the next two decades
of my life. Capitalism depends on the fact that social policy makers devise systems to ensure that
twenty five percent of the population is trapped into poverty. Only the very lucky escape the lower
class. I was studying for a social work degree when I learned this. It was the last straw for me.
Learning that the powers that be knew the painful sentence they were inflicting on the slavers for
minimum wage sunk my soul into the pits of despair. Not only was my own family cruel and
blinded by the blinkers they put on with their own hand but the rulers of the land did not care either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Poverty means being financially excluded from society in so many ways. I had few possesions and
only ever had enough to buy the most basic food. I have spent a large portion of my life in the
kitchen this way, scraping up baking and building meals on a hungry sad stomach. Countless are the
days I spent crying at the bench when others with more wealth and support would have brought
their tea, or had someone bring them a meal.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Accident compensation came through for me but ten thousand dollars doesn't last very long and
soon enough I was back to scraps most of the time. Back to scraps means that clothing and shoes
can only be cheap and bought on layby at the expence of the grocery list. Back to scraps means that
week by week I turned to a scrap myself as scrapings of me were shaved off as the days wore on.
Bit by bit I became less and less human. Week by week I deserved less and less. Day by day I </span><span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;">mourned in my rags and grew guilt and shame like a mould about my existence. How dare I need? How dare I exist? How rotten of me to have brought a child into the world whom I could not
support. How evil of me to subject my son to this feeling that underscored each of his requests for
any toy or a treat or a wish beyond the trappings of the poor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">It all made me so sick. I threw up my food. I gave proper expression to the disgust that was
mine about everything. Finally I started smoking again and drinking again. Ridiculous. Horrible.
I could not face life any other way anymore. I can hear the sound of the people and their logical
opinion. How I deserve to suffer if I made the choice to waste my money on these addictions. I can
hear the vehemence of people who have no clue of what it is to be so full to billowing inside that
one wants truly, just to die. I can hear the opinion of all those who think they have the answers to
fools like me. I can hear them all like a deafening roar that would bowl me over and have me
insignificantised in half a second.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">The society I live in does not like bludgers and I have been labeled as such by virtue of the fact I
am on a benefit. Each day of my life that stigma and hatred follows me about. It lives in the start
up of my day. The bad taste of my dependency and the scorn from decades belonging to it puts its
teeth into my being before I am out of my bed. Patronising others take overt stares at me out of
seventy, thirty, fourty, fifty thousand dollar vehicles. Rancid remarks get called out of radios and
stern speeches about what to do with the likes of me are paid for and spoken all over the country.
Propaganda is spilled out on the news to make sure that people get the 'truth' about all of us lazy
beneficiaries who can't lift a damn finger to help themselves.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Each and every time I have been to WINZ for assistance I have been treated as if I were driving
at some illegitimate scheme to fraudulently steal for some made up emergency. Each cent I spent
was scrutinised and commented on. Apparently a person is stupid if they can't support a family of
four on one hundred and fifty dollars a week, year in and year out. A budget advisor must be seen
to insist that blood can be got out of stones. When I say one hundred and fifty dollars to support a
family of four I mean this is the allowance for food, clothing, shoes, school needs, and
entertainment...oh no, that is superfluous and should be withheld and scorned and disallowed if one
wants to eat.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Unable to stand this poverty it wasn't very long before I let strangers suck on my tits and pay me
for sex. This bought my kids shoes and presents and it paid for my habits. Habits which
intensified as the years went by. Never yet then, had I found a cure for the plague I had to endure
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">of too much emotion. All treatments were short lived and had no substance either. Thinking
straight ain't no match for feeling like your guts has been torn away. Thinking straight can't stand
for very long when blown at by emotions billowing at hurricane speed inside. This pain kills.<br />
I was doing all I could to survive. There were no other viable options open to me at the time.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">I don't mind saying either that it seems sheer luck that I found any help that has substance. Right
now in the world there are plenty of non viable answers being touted as the truth and the light.
Funny only the practitioners of this cure speak this way of their cognitive inventions. Survivors
form blogs and support groups for those further traumatised by these lies passed as a cure.
Survivors though have a very quiet voice in comparison to the clinical advisors who write these
think and contain programmes. It is a travesty.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><b><b style="font-size: x-large;">Prostitution</b></b></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Working as a sex slave I learned a lot about men and women. Husbands bought me and had me
knocking them against the headboard next to photos of their wives and children who would be
coming home in the afternoon. Executives bought me on their credit card as an entertainment
expense on their work accounts. Old men bought me. Young men bought me. I slept with creeps
because I needed the money. Find me a prostitute that says she loves this sleeping with wide,
smelly, creepy mean men. You wont find her. You will find those 'happy hookers' giving it to
gentlemen in fancy rooms for much more than seventy dollars an hour. Escort agencies who rent
out needy girls get the other seventy dollars the 'gentlemen' pays for their trouble.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Not one of the girls I worked with were from a happy life and every one of them was
supplementing their benefit. Each of them a criminal in the eyes of the law. Women should declare
all of their income on a benefit you see, even if it is from whoring. After your first john WINZ
would give you seventy cents less in every dollar. If the government had their way this job would
be done for three dollars and seventy cents an hour or you'd just screw seven more of them and get
off the benefit all together. Make no mistake. Very few of the working girls in these brothels are in
it because they love it and very few are not on some kind of benefit or student allowance.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">I am supposed to be quiet about this truth. We wouldn't want WINZ investigators stinging the
brothels and stealing all of their workers to prison and criminal records of fraud and debt would we? Personally, I doubt that WINZ would go there. It is too taboo. Too many uncomfortable
conversations would need to be had if this issue were to be made public. The public discussion too
ugly. The true hateful nature of people would be easily seen. The women and girls would be judged
and near burned at the steak. No shame at all though on any of the men or the state. Many of the </span><span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;">people who care would be ostracised. Society has not come as far as we would like to believe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;"> I gave in to prostitution after I knew I could not keep any job. I'd always end up too broken </span><span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;">down. No boss wants a worker having a mental breakdown on their premises and no boss really
wants to hear what it is about, much less, support a crying woman who can't cope with keeping
even a part time job. Being a prostitute, at least I got paid good money for my troubles and the
money helped me fill my cupboards and buy me the drink I needed to cope. I look back in horror
and writing about this time in my life put me in the most sad and hateful mood all week. I
remember the whirling hole there was inside me on the days the kids were with their dad. I felt as if
I was going to be sucked along and lifted off my feet by the force of the silent pain </span><span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12pt;">in my body.</span><br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Raped Again</b></span></h3>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 5">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">I would sink down a bottle of cheap red wine in half an hour just to anchor myself. The
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">weekends were always the worst for me because that is when the kids were at their dad's. It is easy
to get raped when you are drunk. One night two men brought me to my house and
pinned me down on my bed. Each of them took their turn whilst I kept yelling at them to stop. The
last time I was raped was by a regular client. I had fallen asleep drunk as was he. I woke up with
him helping himself to seconds, maybe thirds. He was holding me open by the thighs at the end of
his bed. I was bruised where his fingers were and sore inside.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">That night walking home I told the police I had been raped. They did not believe me and took me
to John's place. He gave me a beta blocker and put me to bed. Why would I press the issue with the
law? They knew me for a drunk by now and I was in my rapist's house by choice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">I stopped
drinking for a while after that and reduced my clientele. I had lost my courage. That was eight
years ago now. I was seriously affected by that rape. It tipped me over the edge. I laid around
crying for days afterwards and it took me weeks to begin to tolerate my life.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;">I was such an awful mess. My poor children. My poor eldest son. I was by no means a good
mother for him especially. How intensely difficult it was for him. I can't see him now without
feeling shame for the person I was... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a story to tell? </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Email your story to : unitewaitemata@gmail.com </span></i></b></div>
<b style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: inline !important; font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: inline !important; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: inline !important; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b><i>Or- You can tell your story in the comments below this story.</i></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</b><span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt";"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Or- you can tell your story in the comments to the </i></b><b><i>Share Your Stories Post.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i> </i></b><b><i>See Left Column of Blog for How to do this.</i></b></span></div>
</span></h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-58162523429747730682013-10-10T23:29:00.000+13:002013-10-10T23:29:37.135+13:00How to get WINZ Support for Sickness or Disability<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">How
to get WINZ Support for Sickness or Disability </span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Make Sure Your Doctor Understands
Your Health Needs<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask if the doctor thinks that being on a benefit
is an addiction and that work is the cure. If they say “yes” and this is a
new doctor, then you need another doctor! But if you need a <b>Work</b> <b>Capacity
Certificate</b>, and the doctor has signed your certificates before, you might
need to keep the same one. Otherwise WINZ might send you to a designated
doctor. Dr David Bratt, WINZ’s Principal Medical Advisor, is spreading false
ideas about “benefit addiction”. There
is no sound evidence for it, and it has been discredited in the UK. Let
your doctor know this; and remind him or her that their first duty is
towards your health, and to do you no harm. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If you need a <b>Supported Living Payment,</b> your doctor needs to verify that
your illness or disability will last for <b>more than two years;</b> unless you are blind or are expected to
die within two years.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If you are sick or disabled, but are on <b>Job Seeker Support,</b> make sure your
doctor helps you to get <b>enough time
off work</b>. This might mean that
you should do no work, or only the hours that suit you. Make sure your
doctor understands how sick you are. Write down all your symptoms beforehand. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What to do if WINZ wants you
to see a Designated Doctor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask to see a second doctor you have chosen yourself,
who has expertise about your condition. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If WINZ rejects your choice, ask for a large list
of designated doctors to choose from. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Insist that the doctor has qualifications that
match your condition. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Do not take the first doctor that WINZ suggests! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Do not take a doctor because they are the closest!
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Do not take a doctor because WINZ offers you free
transport there! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Get some information about the doctors and their
reputations before choosing. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Unite Waitemata</span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> will help you!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What to do if you see a Designated
Doctor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Take a witness or
support person! </span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b>This
is very important!!!</b> <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> The witness could be a friend, family
member, advocate or somebody from <b>Unite</b>
<b>Waitemata.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Take written notes or
record the session</span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> on
your phone, digital recorder, or tape recorder. You or your witness can do this. Note how
long the interview lasts. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Your designated doctor
should treat you with respect. <o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">They should explain the
purpose of the interview and what will happen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">They should ask for your
consent to proceed. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">They should ask you and give you time to explain
your <u>own view</u> of how you are affected by your condition. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">They should have enough
information and expertise to make an assessment. <o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask if they have read
the reports from your doctor and your other specialists. Ask what their
expertise is about your illness or disability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If the doctor does
not have enough evidence or skill to make an assessment, they should not make
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If the doctor does
not follow correct procedure, they may breach the <b>Code of Health and Disability</b><u> </u><b>Services Consumers’ Rights.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You can complain to the <b>Health and Disability Commissioner about breaches of procedure.</b>
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Your designated
doctor has been trained by WINZ to believe that being on a benefit is an
addiction. She or he is being paid by WINZ. So they are not independent. However they must
follow <b>medical ethics</b>. If a doctor
says you are fit to work, and this risks harming your heath, then your doctor
has breached medical ethics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You could complain to the Medical Council about
breaches of medical ethics.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You can make a complaint to WINZ about the
doctor’s behaviour. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How
to Challenge WINZ Decisions</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You can apply in writing for a <b>Medical Appeal</b> of any decision made by
WINZ regarding your health or disability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You can apply for a <b>Medical Appeal </b>of any WINZ decision based on a <b>designated doctor’s advice.</b> If the doctor did not have sufficient
information or expertise, or if their decision could harm your health, these
are grounds for appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You can also apply for a <b>Medical Appeal</b> of any WINZ decision
based on the<b> advice</b> <b>of Regional Health Advisors, and Regional
Disability Advisors. </b>These advisors lack
the expertise to assess complex medical cases. Many are nurses, teachers and social workers.
There are no doctors or psychiatrists. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask WINZ about the qualifications of the person
who advised on your case.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What
to do at a Medical Appeals Board.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Since Medical
Appeals Board members are paid by WINZ they are not independent. Some of them
are designated doctors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask that the Board members have expertise in your
illness or disability. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> Prepare a
written case. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Bring as much evidence as you can from supporting
medical professionals. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Take a witness, support person or <b>Unite Waitemata</b> member.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What Else Can you Do?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If your case goes
to the <b>High Court</b>, we will help you find
a good, cheap or free lawyer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Another option is to hold a <b>protest</b> at WINZ and publicise your case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Sometimes direct action wins when other channels
don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Why is WINZ Ignoring our
Health Needs?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">WINZ is targeting
the sick and disabled, and single parents,<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> as we are
their biggest expense. It plans to save
one and a half billion dollars by getting us off benefits. WINZ wants to make the sick and disabled
compete for scarce jobs, or even work for nothing in “job training” schemes -
so employers can bring down wages and conditions, and increase their
profits. WINZ is offering thousands of
dollars to private contractors to help make this happen. This is an attack upon
workers as well as beneficiaries! We all need to Unite! against these attacks !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7BYR6Ji480VWl0dk83-LOk8e_OFkqdcHM7-7eBoaAFP1RSuTy5x0tC7OO5yQ-RJNuE5gy6cbu4EI8oKsvgNdqtKKGOwVHIDhEKszmXHzPB6BQnSNRMXE4K5uJ7ctDPBapzeyGRThGBWj/s1600/UW+Welfare+Not+Sale+J+Bedggood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7BYR6Ji480VWl0dk83-LOk8e_OFkqdcHM7-7eBoaAFP1RSuTy5x0tC7OO5yQ-RJNuE5gy6cbu4EI8oKsvgNdqtKKGOwVHIDhEKszmXHzPB6BQnSNRMXE4K5uJ7ctDPBapzeyGRThGBWj/s400/UW+Welfare+Not+Sale+J+Bedggood.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14pt;">Join your Union! Join Unite Waitemata!</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt;">Unite Waitemata</span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt;"> is a branch of the <b>Unite! Union</b>. Unite is a union for low paid workers, unemployed and beneficiaries. We will attend WINZ appointments, designated doctor appointments, and Medical Appeals Board Hearings with you. We are protesting the welfare changes and we will let people know what is happening! We will organise a protest about what is happening to you and others like you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Tell us your stories! Get involved! Together we are strong!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU">Issued by Unite Waitemata </span></i></b><span lang="EN-AU">0272800080; (09) 8369104.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Facebook : <b>Unite Waitemata.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Email: <a href="mailto:unitewaitemata@gmail.com">unitewaitemata@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Blog: <a href="http://waitemataunite.blogspot.co.nz/">http://waitemataunite.blogspot.co.nz</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-34172052390529910922013-10-10T23:05:00.000+13:002015-11-01T23:23:53.145+13:00 Who are The Health and Disability Panel and Who are Behind it? Part One<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This article was contributed by a supporter of Waitemata Unite . </i><br />
<i>The views and assessments expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of our branch.</i><br />
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<b>The Health and Disability Panel helped set the agenda for the welfare reforms. </b><br />
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<b>Who are Behind It? </b></div>
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The Health and Disability Panel's approach reflects the largely discredited "illness is all in your head" "work will set you free" <b> Bio -Psycho- Social approach </b> imported from the UK by by Mansel Aylward and Dame Carol Back.<br />
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<b>Dame Carol Black </b></div>
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Mansel Aylward was paid by the convicted fraudulent US insurance company Unum, to lend academic credibility to this fraudulent supposedly "expert" medical viewpoint. <br />
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<b>Mansel Aylward</b></div>
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<a href="http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/2012/09/15/unumdwpatos-scandal-transcript-prof-sir-mansel-aylward-defends-his-record-makes-pledge-when-confronted-by-black-triangle-and-dpac-at-ifdm2012/">http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/2012/09/15/unumdwpatos-scandal-transcript-prof-sir-mansel-aylward-defends-his-record-makes-pledge-when-confronted-by-black-triangle-and-dpac-at-ifdm2012/</a><br />
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Mansel Aylward's "Bio-Psycho- Social" ideology affects the views the Health and Disability Panel; and WINZ officials such as <b>Dr David Bratt, WINZ Principal Medical Advisor</b> (with his "work addiction" mantra) and his crew of regional advisors and designated doctors. Ordinary case officers don't stand a chance against all these supposed 'experts." So they do what they are told, rather than believing the beneficiary's real doctor.<br />
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<b>Dr David Bratt</b></div>
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The following article has been sent to us by a supporter. Its views are those of its author. It gives some background information as to who the members of this panel are; and an analysis of the purpose of the panel. Whilst some of the members of the panel do seem to be genuine representatives of the disabled community, and/or are health professionals sincerely interested in helping people; nevertheless the overall impact of the panel has been to hurt sick and disabled people with punitive welfare cuts.<br />
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<b>Who Are the Members of the Health and Disability Panel?</b></div>
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<b>They are:</b><br />
Dr David Beaumont, Dr David Chaplow, Dr Ben Gray, Dr Sandra Hicks, Robyn Hunt,<br />
Dr Bryn Jones, Helen Locket, Professor kathryn MacPherson, Janice Muller, Geoff Robinson,<br />
Dr Tane Taylor, Charmayne Te Nana Williams and Puti Umaga.<br />
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<b>Some revealing details about the Health and Disability Panel members.</b></div>
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<b>Part One:</b></div>
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<b>Dr David Baumont, Dr David Chaplow, Dr Ben Gray,</b></div>
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<b> Dr Sandra Hicks, Robyn Hunt and Bryn Jones.</b></div>
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<b>Dr David Beaumont</b></div>
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1).<b> Dr David Beaumont </b>– MedicalDirector/CEO at‘<b>Fit for Work Ltd’</b>,‘<br />
<b>Pathways to Work Ltd</b> ’and‘OHS New Zealand Ltd’, also formerly at <b>ATOS </b>ORIGIN HEALTHCARE in the UK (the controversial assessor for the DWP there)<br />
Dr David Beaumont on LinkedIn:<br />
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/david-beaumont/2a/780/943<br />
Past:<br />
Regional Consultant Occupational Physician at <b>Atos</b> Origin Healthcare.<br />
Websites disclosing Dr Beaumont’s businesses and other involvements:<br />
http://www.fitforwork.co.nz/team http://www.gpcme.co.nz/speakers/speakerbeaumonttext_2011_south.php<br />
http://www.pathwaystowork.co.nz/dr-david-beaumonts-message-to-doctors-conference-medical-certification- can-be-fraught-with-problems-for-gps<br />
Extract:<br />
Workers who take sick leave during a period of illness or injury normally see their GP to provide medical certification explaining their absence from work and assuring sick leave.This can create a situation where doctors feel pressured to extend work absences because they feel that this is best for the patient. There can be a negative impact on the relationship between doctor and patient where a patient perceives that the GP is not being supportive by advocating for continuing sick leave.<br />
Dr Beaumont referred to the research indicating that doctors do not see themselves in the role of advocating for a prompt return to work, despite the consistent evidence that helping people back to work is most beneficial for their health in the long term.<br />
Relating this issue to the New Zealand context, Dr Beaumont illustrated the recent health reforms in the United Kingdom:<br />
.<b>..doctors there now issue a fit note,</b> detailing the capacities that allow a patient to return to work, while the current New Zealand model certifies ongoing disability – effectively saying that the patient is unfit for any level of work.”<br />
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Re Dr Beaumont’s‘career’ and his former employer <b>ATOS </b>Healthcare:<br />
New Zealand: ‘British-style work tests concern’- tests were developed partially work of disability expert Professor <b>Sir Mansel Aylward, </b>12Jan, 2013: http://atosvictimsgroup.co.uk/tag/new-zealand/<br />
Work capability assessments decision follows years of criticism, The Guardian, 22 July 2013: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/22/work-capability-assessments-criticism<br />
“Disabled benefits claimants test: Atos reports found 'unacceptably poor'”,The Guardian,22July2013:<br />
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/22/disabled-benefits-claimants-test-atos<br />
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<b>Comments:</b><br />
Dr David Beaumont will certainly have played a senior role on the Health and Disability<br />
Panel, given his background and “expertise” from the UK. As he himself runs his‘Pathways to Work’business, focusing on “integrated rehabilitation”of sick and disabled back into the<br />
workforce, he naturally has a vested interest in the outsourcing and privatisation of welfare related services!<br />
He has already been advising ACC and the Ministry of Social Development in other capacities, and he naturally emphasizes the same philosophy about health, disability and the benefits of paid work, as Professor Mansel Aylward does. Being well known to leading MSD staff members and Paula Bennett, he will have been appointed to the Panel with knowledge of all those aspects on mind.<br />
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<b>Dr David Chaplow</b></div>
2)<b>. Dr David Chaplow</b>- Forensic Psychiatrist and former Director for Mental Health at the Ministry of Health<br />
Dr Chaplow on LinkedIn:<br />
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/david-chaplow/35/115/126<br />
‘Psychiatrist defends use of<b> electric shock therapy’</b>, Rotorua Daily Post, 18Aug. 2006<br />
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=10943550<br />
“Shock treatment use has plummeted nationally but that's no reason to believe it's a"fringe"method", a leading psychiatrist says."<br />
"Ministry of Health director of mental health Dr David Chaplow said there had been decline in use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) nationally but that did not make the increasing use among Rotorua and Taupo people wrong.<br />
He said the ministry looked at the use of ECT about two years ago and found it was a valuable treatment”.<br />
“<b>Involvement of Dr David Chaplow in Board hearings”</b>, Scoop, 21July 2004<br />
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0407/S00228/involvement-of-dr-david-chaplow-in-board-hearings.htm<br />
"The Solicitor-General’ s opinion is that the participation of Dr Chaplow in the decision-making process of the <b> Parole Board</b> was not authorised by the Parole Act 2002 and that offenders should be offered a hearing if they felt aggrieved by Dr Chaplow’ s participation.”<br />
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“<b>Secret Probe of Hutt Mental Health Service</b>s”;Kiwikileaks,01Sept.2011<br />
http://transparencynz.blogspot.co.nz/2011/09/secret-probe-of-hutt-mental-health.html<br />
“Leaked documents show the Health Ministry's mental health director ,David Chaplow, ordered the investigation in June."There are two main areas of concern– the leadership of the mental health services, and a number of clinical issues presenting as `complaints"which may relate to systemic or leadership issues.<br />
‘From the CEO’, http://intl-apy.sagepub.com/content/16/3/225.extract<br />
“...networking of mental-health related NGOs by sharing information ..to align <b>work programs</b> "<br />
‘Office of the Director of MentalHealth’AnnualReport2010,<br />
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/media/1511993/odmh-ar10-4oct.pdf<br />
“Combat depression and its consequences”:04April2011:<br />
http://www.baptist.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2032:combat-depression-and-its- consequences&catid=:general-opinion&Itemid=246<br />
“David Chaplow,head of Mental Health NewZealand,worships with <b>Wellington Central Baptist.</b> He has confidence in the transformative power of the gospel. David identifies four things as basic human needs, and where personal faith and participation in the life of the church meet all of those needs.<br />
– Rodney Macann, National Leader”<br />
<b>Comments:</b><br />
Dr David Chaplow will have been appointed to the Panel given his expertise in forensic psychiatry, to advise on mental illness and possibly how he has been making efforts to rehabilitate some of those suffering from it into the community, in some cases with prospects to take up work activities. As former Director of Mental Health he should be well informed about the many issues and failings in the mental health system, and one wonders, how he could agree on the recommendations to Minister Paula Bennett and Cabinet, to push ahead with the proposed welfare reforms, to also push mental health sufferers into paid, open employment.<br />
Dr Chaplow relies on his Baptist faith to heal patients, but also believes in shock therapy. One dares to ask: would he use electro shock therapy to heal beneficiaries of "benefit addiction?" Although hopefully this is unlikely, Dr Chaplow is likely to bring conservative values and a strong work ethic very compatible with the Paula Bennett's intentions.<br />
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<b>Dr Ben Gray</b></div>
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<b>3.) Dr Ben Gray</b> - Senior Lecturer, Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington</div>
“Ben Gray joined the Department in 2006 as a senior lecturer in General Practice. He is an Otago graduate from the first class at the Wellington Clinical School. He has worked as a GP for the past 25 years first in Waitara Taranaki and most recently at Newtown Union Health Service (NUHS).”<br />
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Ben/Gray<br />
“<b>Doctors told to prescribe work ethic</b>”,Stuff.Co,14Aug.2013:<br />
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9037653/Doctors-told-to-prescribe-work-ethic<br />
“But health and disability panel member Ben Gray, a GP and senior lecturer at Otago University's Wellington School of Medicine, said there was no doubt that the physical and mental health benefits of working were huge.<br />
"On one level, finding them a job is not our job. But our ability to manage some of the problems that are the barriers to why they can't get jobs are our core business.<br />
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"If someone can't get a job because they are stoned all the time, then I should be talking to them about what we can do about their addiction."<br />
International research has shown consequences from being out of work include poorer mental and physical health, increased rates of mortality, and risk of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and respiratory infections.<br />
It was hoped that more government funding would accompany the shift towards working more closely with the<br />
ministry,DrGraysaid.”<br />
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“<b>Welfare now has health warning</b>”,NZ Herald,16 July 2013:<br />
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10898616<br />
“A former doctor at Wellington's Newtown Union Health Servicewho represented general practitioners on an advisory panel that drew up the new policy, Dr Ben Gray, said he was "pleasantly surprised" and he was happy to sign up to the emphasis on "work is good for health".<br />
“"That is very solid science," he said. "So the main point of the new form is to get away from being a sickness benefit form. It's to be a descriptor of what the barriers to work are."”<br />
‘<b>More eyes on patient notes’</b>,NZDoctor,09March2011:<br />
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/in-print/2011/march-2011/09-march-2011/more-eyes-on-patient-notes.aspx<br />
(search with Google or so, if link does not lead to story)<br />
“Third parties should have access to patient notes to monitor how GPs fill out"fit notes"for beneficiaries, says a Government working group. "(The Welfare Working Group.)<br />
“NZMA chair and Napier GP Pete Foley holds <b>grave concerns</b>." <br />
“Dr Foley supports the philosophical change behind scrapping all the benefit categories in favour of a single jobseeker payment, but says there will still be a category of people for whom work will never be an option.<br />
Wellington GP and researcher <b>Ben Gray agrees</b>, and points out other groups, such as those being released from prison into the community, have the will to work but employers won't touch them.<br />
Dr Gray has long suggested the benefit categories be changed and is pleased to see this recommendation from the working group. "The current system is completely stupid. The categories are arbitrary," he says.”<br />
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<b>Doctor laments Newtown health cuts,</b> The Wellingtonian, Stuff.co, 27 Sept. 2012:<br />
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/7734691/Doctor-laments-Newtown- health-cuts “Some of Wellington's poorest and neediest people have been hit hardest by health board cuts to general practices,according to one doctor.<br />
The Capital and Coast District Health Board made cuts of $5.6million to its primary health funding in the past two years, an Official Information Act report reveals.<br />
That included a $300,000 cut to Newtown Union Health Service last year and another $274,000 this year, 8 per cent of the service's revenue. Newtown Union doctor Ben Gray delivered a letter to the board on June 8 saying that the cut was out of proportion with the $40 million the board needed to save.”<br />
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/in-print/2011/november-2011/30-november-2011/$300k-woes-haunt-newtown- union.aspx<br />
(search per Google or so for article, if link does not connect)<br />
“<br />
Dr Gray says, without some political direction, the DHB will be under deficit pressure again next year and taking more savings out of primary care.<br />
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<b>Comments:</b><br />
Dr Gray has repeatedly been quoted in the media as a clear supporter of welfare reforms of the kind now implemented. He appears to also support the Mansel Aylward taught philosophy about the“health benefits of work”. No surprise then that he was selected to be on the Health and Disability Panel. The cuts to funding for his practice could have caused him to doubt his support of the reforms, but perhaps he hopes that by "assisting" beneficiaries into work he might get more funding.<br />
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<b>Dr Sandra Hicks</b></div>
4). <b>Dr Sandra Hicks</b> – GP(MB.ChB.,Dip.Obst.)andNZMAboardmember<br />
DetailsaboutSandraHicksonLinkedIn- andtheNZMAwebsite:<br />
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/dr-sandra-hicks/1b/974/29a http://www.nzma.org.nz/node/30<br />
‘Membership of the National Information Clinical Leadership Group’, IT Health Board<br />
http://ithealthboard.health.nz/who-we-work/national-information-clinical-leadership-group/membership<br />
<br />
SandraHicks’profile on the website of her practice in Christchurch:<br />
http://www.halswellhealth.co.nz/staff/<br />
“Sandra Hicks has worked in the community in General Practice for 20 years and before that in Family Planning. Sandra has a special interest in women and children's health. She also does minor surgery such as removing suspicious moles or early skin cancers and is experienced in the insertion of IUD's (intra-uterine contraceptive devices). She is interested in the management of General Practices and the way the computer system functions. Sandra has been involved in the local and national administration of general practice through the College of GP's, the IPA Council and the board of Pegasus and has been on a number of committees which have strengthened the relationship between the hospital and general practice. For the last three years Sandra has been on the Board of the New Zealand Medical Association. She enjoys the longterm relationship with families and individuals that is possible in general practice.”<br />
<br />
Pegasus Health Maori Health Workforce Scholarships, Scoop – Health,05Aug.2004: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0408/S00024/pegasus-health-maori-health-workforce-scholarships.htm<br />
"“Improving Maori health by supporting the development of the Maori health workforce is a top priority for Pegasus Health”says Pegasus Health Chair, Dr Sandra Hicks.”<br />
Pegasus Health (Charitable) Ltd, Canterbury, website:<br />
http://www.pegasus.health.nz/<br />
“Pegasus Health was founded in 1992 when a group of Christchurch general practitioners met to see how they could use the‘health reforms’of the time to get a better deal for the local community. The early Pegasus pioneers brought together the majority of Christchurch GPs to form an Independent Practitioner Association (IPA) with a strong clinical education foundation and a focus on reducing wastage on unnecessary laboratory tests and prescriptions.”<br />
“In March 2013 Pegasus Health will amalgamate with Partnership Health Canterbury PHO todeliverPHO services across Canterbury, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts.”<br />
<b>Comments:</b><br />
Dr Sandra Hicks appears to have been chosen to sit on the ‘Health and DisabilityPanel’ to firstly represent the New Zealand Medical Association(NZMA).She also has expertise in healt information technologysystems. Her involvement with the‘Health Information Governance Expert Advisory Group’ (HIGEAG) will have been considered useful,as the government intends to increase information sharing about sick and disabled beneficiaries between health providers and MSD.<br />
As she was also board member at ‘Pegasus Health’,who apparently adapted andworked well under former health reforms by an earlier National led government(from1992on),<br />
she will have been assumed to be favourable to the current reforms.<br />
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<b>Robyn Hunt</b></div>
5). <b>Robyn Hunt</b> – CompanyDirector,‘Acc Ease Limited’and DisabilityAdvocate RobynHuntonLinkedIn:<br />
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Robyn/Hunt<br />
“Current: Co-manager at <b>Disability Clothesline,</b> Owner at AccEase Limited<br />
Past:<br />
Board member at New Zealand Guidelines Group, Commissioner at New Zealand Human Rights Commission,<br />
Member at Virtual Group”<br />
Robyn Hunt: http://disabilityclothesline.org.nz/<br />
"The disability clothesline project is a way of breaking the silence about violence and abuse, enabling victims to give creative expression to their experiences as they use clothing as a canvas. The disability clothesline project will gather our stories and experience; it will bring the invisible into the light."<br />
“Who we are<br />
The Disability Clothesline is a grassroots disability project run in co-operation with DCAV, the Disability Coalition against Violence. We do not provide disability, family violence or any other services.<br />
<br />
The coalition began with DPA and the National Network of Stopping Violence Services, representing disabled people and organisations working to prevent violence. Since then other organisations have joined the informal coalition from both sectors. The project received seed funding by a grant from the Community Assistance Fund.”<br />
“Get involved<br />
We launched this project on November 25, 2009 and we have collected lots of tee shirts, but we are still looking for more.”<br />
“Judges decision leaves disabled with a disturbing message”,‘NZ Catholic’,Oct.2012:<br />
http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz/2012/10/06/judges-decision-leaves-disabled-with-a-disturbing-message/<br />
“Disability Clothesline co-manager Robyn Hunt said disabled people are not burdens, and, with support, can live meaningful and rewarding lives, even with significant impairments.“Negative social values towards disabled people contribute to decisions like Rosie’ s. Disabled people don’ t need to die that way,” Ms Hunt said.<br />
Robyn Hunt’s business: http://www.accease.com/<br />
“AccEase is the New Zealand communications company that makes sure your web site, information, communications and engagement are fully accessible.<br />
We pioneered, more than ten years ago, our unique "real world" testing model. Since then our business has grown to include a wider range of services.”<br />
AccEase, Principal Consultants:<br />
http://www.accease.com/about-us/principal-consultants<br />
“Robyn Hunt<br />
As an award-winning journalist and communicator she brings extensive experience in those fields to the creation of readable, accessible web content, and accessible information beyond the web. Robyn is acknowledged as one of NewZealand’s leading experts in the field of disability. She has been honoured for her work in the disability community.”<br />
“She is an innovator who has developed and launched a number of successful media and communications projects. Robyn has run her own consulting, writing and training business, working with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Before that she worked in policy and management roles as well as a writer and broadcaster.<br />
Robyn has served eight years as a human rights commissioner with responsibility for disability at the New Zealand <b>Human Rights Commission.”</b><br />
“Qualifications<br />
Robyn has a BA(Hons) and a diploma in public sector management.”<br />
PowerPoint presentations –one example http://unitube.otago.ac.nz/view?m=DrcS39eRY0a<br />
<br />
<br />
‘DisabilityWorld’, Governance & Legislation; on Robyn Hunt, June– July2000:<br />
http://www.disabilityworld.org/June-July2000/Governance/NewZealand.html<br />
“REFERENCE GROUP, NZ DISABILITYSTRATEGY<br />
Robyn Hunt,Wellington(co-chair):Robyn is the chair of <b>Workbridge</b> board of management and was a disability consultant to the Royal Commission on Social Policy. She has been actively involved with Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) since it began, including terms as regional president and on the national executive.”<br />
Robyn Hunt in ‘Rise’magazine, Ministry for Social Development, March 2009: http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/journals-and- magazines/rise/rise-issue-6-mar-09-part-1.pdf<br />
“That long hard journey started at birth– Robyn was born with cataracts and is vision impaired. In her case, this means she doesn’t drive, she has difficulty reading some material and she doesn’t play sports that require goodvision.<br />
“With just 18 months left as Human Rights Commissioner, Robyn knows exactly what she wants to achieve by then.“I want to see the monitoring process on its way, and a robust and durable and credible process established for the convention. I want to see more disabled people getting involved in the disability community – including young people.”<br />
<b>Comment:</b><br />
One wonders whether Paula Bennett spotted the article about Robyn in ‘Rise’from the March 2009 edition of the MSD magazine ,when inspecting the article right next to it, introducing Ms Bennett herself as the “new Minister for Social Development”.<br />
Robyn Hunt is a person with accepted and respected expertise in the disability sector, has been active as a writer, commenter, consultant and innovator, she even served on the Human Rights Commission. She also appears to have an entrepreneurial side to her activities, offering consultancy, audit, assessment and testing services, and training. This covers web based and other communication and information systems for the disability sector.<br />
The latter will make her appeal to the Minister and present government, as any business friendly advocate, who also operates her own business, fits in perfectly with the new policy approach of having MSD head towards outsourcing and contracting services in the community, to deliver what they view as necessary.<br />
Robyn will also have been considered“useful” as a role model for the disabled and sick with incapacities, especially those who depend on benefits.<br />
She was well known to the Ministry, having worked with the Ministry of Social Development while “Chair” of the “Workbridge Board of Management”many years ago.<br />
I doubt that Robyn Hunt is fully informed about Mansel Aylward and his controversial interpretation o the "bio-psycho-social model".<br />
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6). <b>Dr Bryn Jones </b>– GP and former board member at‘Health Hawke’s Bay’<br />
– Te Oranga Hawke’s Bay."<br />
http://www.attn.co.nz/2011/07/25/health-hawke’s-bay-–-te-oranga-hawke’s-bay-new-board-of-directors- announced/<br />
NationalAdvisoryCouncil,RNZCGP,‘Te Akoranga a Maui Faculty’<br />
http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/national-advisory-council/<br />
College Maori leader in ministry post, NZ Doctor, 12 June 2013:<br />
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/news/2013/june-2013/12/college-maori-leader-in-ministry-post.aspx<br />
(search by Google or else, if link does not work)<br />
“RNZCGP Te Akoranga a Maui chair and National Advisory Council member Bryn Jones has taken a job two days a weekat .. Ministry of Health as an advisor,<br />
and is continuing hiswork as a GP in the accident and medical facility at Hastings Health Centre.”<br />
“Primary Thinking Bryn Jones”, NZ Doctor, 13March 2013:<br />
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/orphan-pages/primary-thinking-–-bryn-jones.aspx (try Google or other search if link does not work)<br />
“Hastings GP Bryn Jones, of Ngati Kahungunu ,talks to New Zealand Doctor reporter Virginia McMillan."<br />
Dr Jones:“ it's clear to me there's a much greater awareness of social determinants of health, how they impact on our populations, and equity.”<br />
<br />
<b>Comments:</b><br />
Dr Jones will have been asked to be on the Heath and Disability Panel, for being a GP and hospital doctor on the frontline in primary care in an area with substantive social issues, working with Maori health care and being a senior administrator for Health Hawker's Bay. As he raised concerns about funding, he is likely to have been one of the less enthusiastic supporters of the welfare reforms as they rolled out. But it's likely he did support them, hoping for genuine improvements in health and rehabilitation services, that could perhaps bring some better results for some able to return to work, if proper funding would be made available. As a GP he has an interest in working with governments, as much of their incomes depending on government policies and initiatives.<br />
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<b><i>To Be Continued...</i></b><br />
<i>For further information about this subject, and further expression of this viewpoint please see:</i><br />
<i>https://nzsocialjusticeblog2013.wordpress.com/?s=Health+and+Disability+Panel</i></div>
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presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-66906567527296921942013-08-21T16:25:00.002+12:002013-08-21T16:25:47.956+12:00"Making people seek work makes them more sick." On Radio Waatea <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Sans-serif regular'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Sans-serif regular'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;">Members of Unite Waitemata spoke to Radio Waatea about the protest against Paula Bennet last week.</span><br />
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Go to this link to hear the full conversation between our member David Bedggood and the radio station.</div>
http://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_story_id/NTE2Ng==/Unite-targets-welfare-minister<br />
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Radio Waatea wrote :<br />
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"Unite is trying to recruit more Māori into its campaigns against welfare changes.</div>
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The union for low paid workers last night picketed a speech given by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett in her electorate office in Henderson.</div>
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Spokesperson David Bedggood says Ms Bennett is the face of the Government’s welfare reforms which are targeting the most vulnerable in society.</div>
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He says the focus on making all beneficiaries including the sick and the invalid look for jobs that don’t exist is creating huge stress, especially for Māori, Pacific islanders and older workers.</div>
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"I ran into a Māori woman outside New Lynn. She’s got cataracts and problems with her hands and yet she’s being expected to train to go into a call centre and she’s about to retire. This is the sort of absurdity that these people are putting on people and I’m afraid Maori are badly affected and we need to make sure we get more of them involved in the struggle and join Unite Union," Mr Bedggood says.</div>
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He says Paula Bennett is promoting a philosophy that depending on a benefit is a form of sickness that can be cured by getting a job, whereas the pressure put on people to seek work is making them more sick."</div>
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<br />
http://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_story_id/NTE2Ng==/Unite-targets-welfare-minister<br />
<br />presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549433670171849520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218897362420406942.post-369125866095201882013-08-21T15:11:00.000+12:002017-02-25T13:21:38.338+13:00Why You Need To Join Unite! Low Paid, Unemployed and Beneficiaries! <br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Why You Need To Join <i>Unite!</i></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Unite!</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;"> is a Community Union.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">Unite! is for low paid and casual workers, and for those who are not in paid work for any reason, such as unemployment, illness disability, studying or parenting. We are all members of a community or whanau. We are all members of the working class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Unite!</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;"> is a union for unpaid workers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">Mothers are bringing up the future workers of our society. Carers care for the sick and elderly. Students work hard on their studies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">The sick and disabled need support to belong in ways that suit them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">The unemployed need real jobs. Youth need a future.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Unite!</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;"> is a union for low paid and casual workers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">Unite is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing unions with over 10,000 members. Young people who had never been in a union before are now proud Unite members. Many of our members, such as those in the fast food industry, now have better wages and conditions protected by collective contracts. Low paid workers are learning that when we unite together and stand strong, we can win!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Join Unite! For living benefits, living wages and real jobs!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Issued by Waitemata Unite! </span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">8369104 0272800080 </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="mailto:unitewaitemata@gmail.com">unitewaitemata@gmail.com</a><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://waitemataunite.blogspot.com/">http://waitemataunite.blogspot.co.nz</a></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">See us on Facebook: Unite Waitemata</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Waitemata
Unite! </span></i></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <b>is a branch of the <i>Unite!</i>
Union.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">We fight for the rights of employed and beneficiaries!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Waitemata
Unite!</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> will help you get the benefits, grants and
allowances you are entitled to. We will
attend WINZ appointments with you, and help you with reviews and appeals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are sanctioned, we will help you get your
benefit back!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are on a “training scheme” and have to work
for nothing, let us know!! We will picket employers using slave labour! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you get a job, <i>Unite</i>! will make sure you get your legal wage and conditions, and help you
get better ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If your job ends, you can still be a member of
Unite! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lower benefits and slave labour by beneficiaries mean
lower wages for workers ! Employed and unemployed need to Unite! for a living
income for all ! Join Unite! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fight for a living benefit and a living wage! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The welfare and employment laws deny us our human
rights! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Unite! now
to defeat them! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Workers can go on strike! Beneficiaries can go on
pickets. We need to support each other.
Together we are strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">We meet every 3<sup>rd</sup>
Saturday of the month at 10.45 am at the Avondale Community Centre, Rosebank
Rd, and have regular pickets and forums. Come along, have a cuppa, get
involved!</span></b></div>
<b><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</b><b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Unemployed
and Employed Join Waitemata Unite today!</span></b></div>
</b></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXwTQgBBb_JTk2ORPTfXM4T5ugGUZSTIwwjm4KcwXwqr6v7eV1IUHoIAAIxbvGJcnq7N3kkvMnL4oz5wwjAnXNV2JQWS0yfDguEtjUcnFg40ZErOftJq31FpJn_89SqUH0Ej06za_ahTO/s1600/Unite+Stronger+Together+Header.+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXwTQgBBb_JTk2ORPTfXM4T5ugGUZSTIwwjm4KcwXwqr6v7eV1IUHoIAAIxbvGJcnq7N3kkvMnL4oz5wwjAnXNV2JQWS0yfDguEtjUcnFg40ZErOftJq31FpJn_89SqUH0Ej06za_ahTO/s320/Unite+Stronger+Together+Header.+Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Unity is Strength!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Welfare Rights are Under Attack!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;">Unite!</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10pt;"> to Fight Back!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">The Government’s new benefit categories, Job Seeker Allowance, Parent Support Allowance, and Supported Living Allowance, mean that nearly all us have to look for work; even if we are sick, or caring for children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;"> The government has abolished the Sickness Benefit. The sick are now “Job Seekers.” Only people with exemptions, or those who get the Supported Living Payment, don’t have to work. But WINZ designated doctors make it almost impossible to get this benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;"> Most single parents, carers and even grandparents have to be available for full or part time work, including some mothers with babies as young as one year old! Parenting and caring is vitally important work! We need support, not harrassment! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">WINZ’s punitive sanctions are causing misery, hunger, and destitution for thousands of beneficiaries and their children! If we refuse a job, are late for an appointment, don’t take our child to childcare or the doctor’s, or fail a drug test, we can lose half or all of our benefit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;"> WINZ pays private contractors a fortune whilst increasing our poverty!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">WINZ makes us attend pointless Job Seeking courses run by contractors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">Their “training” includes doing slave labour for private businesses!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">WINZ pays employers $5000 per year to employ us at poverty wages! Some employers have broken labour laws, and made workers work long hours for low or no pay!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">WINZ will pay thousands to contractors to put the mentally ill into work<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">Young people only get pocket money and a card for basic necessities. Their lives are controlled by private contractors. Some young mothers are forced to do full time “training” and put tiny babies into full time daycare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9pt;">Older women and widows are also being forced onto the already crowded labour market competing for scarce jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcDD47B54PfVbIjJxk501WNPYaAb0TK_BYGU-5w5d74xNU55ULKhse6JoBfsuTHPsLNJl8vgAaLq6zAm3e1ajuf6-dubhW-V3UGTRVxvo2oGKOo6aO-jxzsKUhF9RnHp-PTV0nAH3m2My/s1600/UW+Poverty+Sux+good+copy+%25282%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcDD47B54PfVbIjJxk501WNPYaAb0TK_BYGU-5w5d74xNU55ULKhse6JoBfsuTHPsLNJl8vgAaLq6zAm3e1ajuf6-dubhW-V3UGTRVxvo2oGKOo6aO-jxzsKUhF9RnHp-PTV0nAH3m2My/s320/UW+Poverty+Sux+good+copy+%25282%2529+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Unite!</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for Social Welfare!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">The welfare state was was created so that everybody
would have good education, healthcare, housing, real jobs and a living income.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Benefits are meant to support people who are raising
children, caring for people, are sick or cannot find work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Unite!</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;"> for Real Jobs!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">The world economic system is in crisis. Profits are
falling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Millions are out of work. In NZ, 6.7% and 30% of youth
are unemployed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">But our government is not
creating jobs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is cutting our
welfare!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Unions have always been a major way that we protect
our rights!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">The Government wants to make it harder for workers to
join unions to organise for living wages, benefits, and conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Fight Back! Join your union!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Stop Corporate Welfare!</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">The government wants us all to compete for non
existent jobs so that employers can pay <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lower
wages,</b> and get <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">higher profits.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">It<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>slanders us,
because it wants people to think that the crisis is our fault , when really it
is the fault of the banks and the corporates, the 1%.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">National plans to save
more than a billion dollars by cutting our welfare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Many of us are giving up altogether rather than face
endless sanctions!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10.0pt;">No forced work for mothers, the sick and disabled!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10.0pt;">No “income management” for youth!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10.0pt;">No forced “training”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
sanctions! No work for the dole!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Beneficiaries and workers need <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unite!<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unite!</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> can fight these attacks!<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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