National wants to block gang members from receiving a benefit if they are unable to prove they don't have illegal income or assets.
Black Power spokesperson Eugene Ryder said:
"Taking away a source of income from people will encourage them to go out and get jobs".
sorry ......... a bit of misreporting there ..... he actually said:
"Taking away a source of income from people will encourage them to commit crime. "
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Look, there's arguments on both sides here. Ryder also said:
"Punishing families won't help anyone. I think Simon Bridges is talking to a part of society who have no idea about living in a low socio-economic areas. What he's doing is targeting people who are already on the cusp of society."
And he's right but National along with many of us have had a guts full of swaggering gang members who are big, fit, healthy and capable of work and who take benefits while continuing in a life of crime. Taking away benefits won't make any difference to their life choices but making community service conditional on receipt of benefits could be a step in the right direction as could any attempt to push them to take up employment.
2 comments:
Is there a registry of gang members?
Reminds me of the Monty Python skit of the people lined up for crucifixion.
"No I don't have any gang affiliations"
"Right you can go on the dole"
"Nah just kidding I in the mongrel mob!".
A good read TC.
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