Paula Bennett

Yeah the TIA is about $1200 a year, my course costs are just over $7000 a year, books $1000 so yeah I still need a loan the TIA is just for living costs as I'm not entitled to student allowance or loan for living costs yet studying sets me back about $100 a week I wouldn't have to pay if I was at home with my kids. The only reason I can afford to study is because my parents help out a lot but not everyone is lucky like that. So I don't think the TIA should be scrapped hell I'd even be stoked with a student loan for living costs. I do think there is a gap where low income families miss out on study incentives but I do have to say things were a lot easier financially when I had a partner on a low wage although a lot of that was just having someone to share the stress of having no money with.

Why aren't we asking why its OK for MPs to claim $900 a week to live in a house they own. Thats greedy, not a mother working her butt off to get off a benefit and asking for $80 a week.

This whole thing has made me really angry as a citizen of New Zealand. I hate how I care what everyone thinks people on benefits.