Paula Bennett

caitlynsmygirl wrote: ....im neither here nor there about big butts either ....

I tend to prefer Big Butts, because I have a big one Nice singing by the way much more in tune than mine (as much as you can be in tune for that song) LOL

I thought you put it really well Emz. Well done!

Could be worse Kelly, she could be singing
"all the boys and all the girls are begging to if you seek Amy" down the supermarket aisles!

Totally agree, Emz.

yeah i think the whole benefit and allowance system needs an overhaul... shall we put it all to rights now...

interesting to note that i never heard a word in the news about this whole thing yesterday at all!

well written emz

I don;'t have a problem with solo Mum's that have found themselves in a situation that is tough I do have a problem with them earning more then my hubby wages and then complaining they can hardly makes ends meet so yeah I think these woman put themselve in the lime light for compaling publicly and Paula only did what needed to be done those woman a racking it in while alot of us are really struggling.   I would not have a problem with people knowing my WFF or what I do with it.    Sometimes makes me wonder how much more I could be getting on my own and it should not be that way a solo Mother should not be earning more then a family who are working their 40 hour's its just not fair.

I don't agree the ladies income should of been mentioned but they also needed to be aware that they have put themselves out there that things may come up (and to me shows a bullying tactics the government would use)

I know people NOT on the DPB and a single parent working their 'ar##' off so not to be on the DPB and some of that reason is not to be labeled or cataorgised - my answer to them is its there to be used as an in between.

haven't read too much into the 2 ladies situations and won't even comment there - but getting back onto topic some what the tIA (which is funny cause at work the TIA = thoughts into action )

I also knew of a girl when I was with my ex partner and we were both studying (getting less money than if we sat on our butts doing nothing) and as I said there was this girl on my course - it was her 3rd time on the course - she was getting it all paid for by WINZ as was on DPB - doesn't have to pay it back UNLESS she earned over a certain amount - and her reply to this - I am never getting a job so I willnever have to pay it back - NOW that type of person is what anonys me not the ones who are truely using the TIA to get out of the situation they are in.

I have been on the DPB myself and it was a means to an end - I needed it until i could earn for my children and I.

I guess the point was that they're complaining they don't get enough, when they are getting more than a lot of others.

I think entitlement to the TIA should be a case by case basis, which is seems it is and these ladies aren't getting it.

If they want to get an education and improve themselves, then why can't they do it with student loan and allowance the same as everybody else, don't see what being on the DPB has to do with it actually.

The OP was whether Paula Bennett should have disclosed the incomes of these two women, at least that's what I thought it was about.

I was very fortunate that I received the TIA ten years ago when I was on the DPB... My benefit was $300 plus $90 (ish) for TIA.... My daycare costs were $70 after my subsidy, rent $180, petrol $40, plus food power and phone and the rest...

I couldn't have done it without the TIA! I still had a loan to cover fees and $1000 course costs... That is all I could get a loan for as you can't get the living costs on a benefit so it would have been impossible to study without it. As a single mother my living costs were much higher than all the other students I knew as it's not easy to flat with people when you have children. Most people who I studied with lived in shared accommodation and paid probably a third of the rent I paid. Plus shared other costs such as phone and power. Then of course there is the daycare costs which I understand are more heavily subsided these days but I was paying $70.

As soon as I completed my undergraduate degree I got off the benefit and worked fulltime to support us. I have since gone back to do a masters and Phd (both self funded) and found studying whilst in a relationship soooo much easier than when single... I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for the TIA... I am soooo grateful I was lucky enough to get it as it really helped me get off the benefit which I understand is the purpose of it....