Paula Bennett

I know this will possibly be controversial but I just wondered what people thought of what Paula bennett has done and the scrapping of the TIA.

My own personal opinion and is no way meant to be offensive is I think what she did is good. Those 2 women receive a hell of alot of benefits and its good to see both sides of the story.

I'm also glad the TIA is scrapped. I studied prior to Daniel. Wasn't entitled to a student allowance because my parents had a farm and "earnt too much" even though they were not supporting me at all and I wasn't living at home. Everything went on student loan including living expenses. When I studied last year. Again most of it went on student loan because I couldn't get a student allowance or any assistance and I really don't see why everyone else can't do the same if they can't afford to pay it outright.

I agree too. I think she did the right thing they earn more than most people do.

If its my own personal income I wouldn't want it on national tv but then if its govt/tax payer money I don't see why that should be "secret"

Yeah I agree with the student allowance thing, if they manage to finish their degrees or study then they will be in a financial position to be able to pay back their student loan. On the other hand I do agree that we should be encouraging people on the DPB to study and get qualifications.. Scraping the TIA isnt going to stop them, if they want it bad enough they can do it!

I was on the DPB for ONE year and got the TIA, I got the TIA spread out over the year and it was something like $90 a week!!! It was ridiculous. I did use it to pay my aunty to look after Janaya rather than her go to daycare though, being a single mum meant I didnt have a partner to take over while I studied, so there was that aspect of it which I was greatful for.

I have to agree with Stacey, I don't have an issue with her releasing the level of state assistance they get, after all their entire argument is about requiring more assistance so surely understanding what they already receive gives the complete picture?

I also strongly feel that tertiary education is a privilege, not a right. My parents assisted me in my diploma out of high school (lucky I know) and I worked my ass off to get my degree via correspondence whilst working full time both here and while I was living in London.

One of them gets over $700 a week in benefits, probably more than some people on here earn in a week in their full time jobs.

ETA: Edited to fix my spelling, clearly I got that degree from a weetbix packet!

Edited by summerlamb

I still can't believe that people think it's ok that private information is released.

I'll ask you how'd you'd feel if how much your WFF tax credit was realeased.

Of if the government started cutting maternity services, you complained and they released details of the medical costs of your pregnancy/labour, or the amount of susbidsed doctor's visits for your child. Hey you choose to get pregnant and have a child, therefore why should we the the taxpayer cough up.

Oh that's right it happened to someone else so that's ok.

Actually lemongirl I'd have no issue at all at people knowing how much I get from WFF because its not MY money. We currently get $18 a week this year, last year it was $139 a fortnight

Actually I applaud Paula .. if you are going to bitch and moan about your situation in a public forum, you kind of bring it on yourself.

I also wouldnt really care who knew how much our WFF or any other government subsidy is.

On a side note .. my husband had to take a student loan and "borrow" a living component as we arent entitled to any kind of training allowance (or any other subsidy) .. so if we can do it (and im not earning as im on maternity leave) ... then those women can suck it up and do it too.

We have less than 700 a week coming in for four of us (although I have chosen to go on extended maternity leave, so I have acutally saved a nest egg to tide us over).

i dont know wether she should have disclosed the info or not... i do think it a bit petty tho that she would have had to go looking for that info and she did go against the privacy act by disclosing personal information without consent... why should she get treated differently than anyone else... if it were me or anyone else trying to get income details that werent ours we would be refused...(case in point i cant even get my dead mothers bank balance)! Paula bennett said she wanted the whole story known but then deliberatley mislead us by only giving the amount they receive, not what for or a breakdown - apparently one of the mothers has sick children so receives money for that which as i imagine would go directly towards medical costs..should she really be penalised for that? Furthermore what now of the fathers of those children? how do they feel? are they now saying "oh she gets heaps from social welfare why should i pay her any more money?"

I think Paula Bennett seems to have forgotten her roots somewhat and wonder what her reaction would have been if her income had been disclosed so publicly?!

I'm glad someone brought this up as I was thinking about it last night.

I think the two women involved brought it on themselves by talking about it in the first place. The money they get is funded by the taxpayer, so I think we (as taxpayers) have every right to know what they are getting. Sure, they should absolutely be entitled to get a student loan just like everyone else, and to pay that back when they start working.

FWIW, we live solely on my husbands wage, and have never been entitled to anything at all from the government. The only exception to that was the 14 weeks PPL i got when we had DS. It bugs the crp out of me to hear stories of someone getting over $700 a week as a handout, when we as a family pay huge amounts of tax to fund it.