The political reaction to National's welfare reform measures has been more interesting than the announcement itself. The Government revealed little that hadn't already been flagged during the election campaign and although the policy won't enhance John Key's 'nice guy' image, there is always political mileage in 'getting tough' on beneficiaries - especially solo Mums and youth. This is exactly why Labour's response has been muted - with Jacinda Ardern being pushed up front rather than David Shearer.
More importantly, it's likely that Labour itself will soon take aim at welfare. John Armstrong seems to have inside information that Shearer will be delivering a major positioning speech in little over two weeks that may 'flag the most significant reorientation of Labour thinking since the party kissed goodbye to Sir Roger Douglas'. Indications are that welfare reform will be a significant part of the speech.
In contrast to Labour, there's been no hesitation from the Greens, New Zealand First and Mana leaders - they've all directly attacked the reforms. The common theme of all the critiques is that forcing beneficiaries to find work when unemployment is already high, and getting worse, is futile and punitive. Sue Bradford, speaking on behalf of Auckland Action Against Poverty says the policies are about the labour market in general: 'And really what it's all about is trying to drive down the cost of labour by harassing vulnerable sole parents and young people. Are they going to be queuing up for the jobs at Affco and the Ports of Auckland? I mean really'. Gordon Campbell also has a very good analysis that makes some obvious points: the cost of benefits is always high and unaffordable when there are few jobs, and over two thirds of DPB recipients receive the benefit for less than four years .
Tracy Watkins sees the announcement as evidence of a sense of urgency in National's second term, saying that the next round of public sector reforms will involve contracting out services and involve 'massive and fundamental change' - see: Pace of fundamental reforms clicks up a few gears (http://bit.ly/zmqgN1). Conspicuous by their silence is the Maori Party who will have to make a decision on whether to support their coalition partner when the legislation comes before Parliament.
Anthony Hubbard wrote in the Sunday Star Times at the weekend that Labour should be riding high given National's fumbling management of issues this year, but has failed to take advantage. He has suggestions for which election policies Labour should dump but notes that making major cuts to its Working for Families policies, would make Labour seem more 'moderate, less desperate to please the proletariat. But it would hurt the children of the poor.'
