Laws denies 'sterilise beneficaries' claim

Michael Laws has denied a claim he suggested all welfare beneficiaries be sterilised.

The Wanganui Mayor and Radio Live talkback presenter says the report earlier today was a misinterpretation.

The Dominion Post had reported that Mr Laws proposed sterilisation to prevent child abuse. It reported he suggested a $10,000 payment for people who went along with it.

But Mr Laws issued a statement in which he said the report was "completely wrong".

He said: "I did not say that and I have never said that."

However, Mr Laws said he had previously suggested "that it would be far better for this appalling underclass to be offered financial inducements not to have children".

He said today he believes that most welfare beneficiaries are good parents.

"Most beneficiaries regard the benefit as a temporary arrangement. But there are some who regard it as a lifestyle, who abuse it and their children. They were the target of my comments yesterday," he said.

- NZ HERALD STAFF