Was Paula Bennett right to release income details on two solo mothers?

Natasha Fuller, 31, had her benefit information released by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett after speaking out about training allowance changes. Photo / Janna Dixon

Opinion

KEY POINTS:

• Was Paula Bennett right to release income details on two solo mothers? Is it a breach of their privacy?

Hundreds of readers are strongly supporting Social Development Minister Paula Bennett for releasing details of state benefits received by two solo mothers. Others are calling it a breach of privacy and a lack of compassion for the mothers.

The details were made public by the Government after the pair criticised cutbacks to a training allowance.

Staff from Social Development Minister Paula Bennett's office gave the Herald a tally of each woman's weekly income from the state - including benefits and other allowances - after the women spoke out in the Herald on Sunday and Labour used their stories in Parliament last week.

The details were handed over without the knowledge of the mothers, Jennifer Johnston and Natasha Fuller.

The Herald, in an editorial, has also been supportive of the Minister saying: "The upshot will not be that people stop speaking out or that the Government escapes criticism. It will be that all information relevant to an issue is more likely to be put before the public at the outset."

Was Paula Bennett right to release income details on two solo mothers? 

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