M.P. lauds social policy

Press, 26 October 1989, Page 6

M.P. lauds social policy

By SUZANNE KEEN Social welfare reforms will greatly assist in ensuring that effort and service go where they are most needed, says the member of Parliament for Yaldhurst, Mrs Margaret Austin. She told the Presbyterian Support Services annual meeting last evening that the public expected the Government to ensure they got value for their tax dollar. “We are certain that we can do more with that dollar than at present by streamlining, better management and more precise targeting,” she said.

Mrs Austin listed housing, education, biculturalism, the youth allowance and Family Support as some of the Government’s successes.

Among the more difficult reforms were the universal benefit, income security, retirement and accident and sickness benefits.

She said it was inevitable some people thought the new system would work against them or that it was some devious plot to reduce expenditure. But there was a genuine desire to ensure a fair social security system.