'Welfare Justice – the Alternative Welfare Working Group' was launched on Thursday 8 July at the Catholic Centre, Hill St, Wellington. Click here to see the launch video on YouTube (also below).
The group is being established by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, the Social Justice Commission of the Anglican Church and the Beneficiary Advocacy Federation of New Zealand (BAFNZ).
The three organisations see an urgent need for a community-wide, informed debate on welfare in light of the Government's current moves on welfare reform.
Caritas Director Michael Smith says the coalition of benefit advocates, and Catholic and Anglican social justice agencies is commissioning an alternative report from a group which includes respected academics as well as representatives of beneficiary groups, people with disabilities and churches. Like the government-appointed Welfare Working Group, it will be reporting back in December.
The Alternative Welfare Working Group members will be:
· Mike O'Brien (Chair), Associate Professor of social policy and social work, Massey University
· Paul Dalziel, Professor of economics, AERU, Lincoln University
· Māmari Stephens, Lecturer in welfare law, Victoria University of Wellington
· Sue Bradford, community and welfare activist, PhD student in public policy
· Wendi Wicks, National policy researcher, Disabled Persons' Assembly
· Bishop Muru Walters, Pihopa o Te Upoko o Te Ika and Chair of the Social Justice Commission of the Anglican Church
Auckland University associate professor of economics Susan St John and Massey University associate professor of public health Cindy Kiro have also agreed to act as formal advisors to the Alternative Welfare Working Group. The group intends to invite submissions and comments, and to hold opportunities for public comment and discussion.
BAFNZ representative Kay Brereton said the group grew from conversations at the government-sponsored Welfare Working Group Forum held in Wellington last month. She said participants at the forum expressed concern that their voices were not being heard, and wanted to be sure that all options are considered in any future changes to the welfare system.
Anglican Social Justice Commissioner Rev Dr Anthony Dancer said that while the Alternative Welfare Working Group will start from the same terms of reference as the government group, they will be given the freedom to expand the scope of its activities. “It is important that any review of welfare proposes outcomes that are just and ensure the best long term outcomes for whānau and tamariki, and builds towards a society in which all can participate.”
Opportunities to engage in discussion and debate about the future of our welfare system will be notified on the group's website at www.alternativewelfareworkinggroup.org.nz