BUSINESS / EDUCATION & SOCIETY
PAU L G O L DS MI T H
Benefit numbers and emergency grants increasing under this government At a time when New Zealand should be booming and when the government has significantly increased spending, we are seeing more people reliant on benefits and more families reliant on emergency grants. The latest benefits statistics show that since coming into power, this government’s policies have led to 15,000 more Kiwis relaying on a jobseeker benefit. There have also been nearly half a million emergency grants for things like food. Labour’s poor policies have seen the cost of living dramatically increase. Rents are up an average of $50 a week, there are more taxes on petrol and electricity prices are set to rise. Incomes aren’t going as far as they used to. But despite employers crying out for new workers, there are thousands more people receiving a jobseeker benefit. There will always be people who need short-term assistance. The benefit is an important safety net for New Zealanders who fall on hard times. 122
And there will always be those who will need ongoing support, like people on Supported Living Payments due to disability and long-term illness. But we know that long-term reliance on benefits provide poor outcomes. It’s important for people to upskill, develop professionally and remain relevant in the job market. Being out of the workforce for longer makes it harder and harder to dive back in. National is aspirational for Kiwis. It’s important we’re all able to live happy and independent lives, and pursue a brighter future. We want Kiwis creating opportunities for them and their families. We know that children in households where parents work go on to lead better lives. The government isn’t incentivising work, with the number of sanctions down by more than 22 percent since September 2017. It’s important to remember that sanctions are only imposed when someone fails to turn up for a job interview or work obligations several times. They are, and always have been, a last resort. The government has repeatedly claimed that one of its main priorities is combatting child poverty. The increase in hardship grants shows that it’s simply getting tougher for families, not easier. Kiwis are struggling, and Labour has no clear plan.
JUST R ENTAL S LT D M REINZ
Insulation Regulations
Phew, we made it! All of our management properties are now compliant with the insulation regulations. It has been a long and involved process with some landlords holding out until the last moment to install. There are fines of up to $4,000 for landlords and also property managers renting a property without the correct insulation. Tenancy Services are urging tenants that if they have any problems or believe that their rental is not sufficiently insulated they should phone and report the wayward owner or landlord. But enough about insulation—it is all we have talked about for months! Let’s talk about renting, after all, that is the business we are in. What can I say. I am amazed as to how slow the market is. We’re either showing properties over and over again, or there is no interest at all. Some of these properties are overpriced, but landlords are reluctant to lower the rents—how absurd is that! Phones are not ringing, stock is low and Trade Me enquiries are down. Some properties we have had for weeks, running into months. Here’s one very stupid example: a lovely group rented a home for $900 and asked for an extension for a year, the landlord said ‘yes’ but wanted $50 more rent so they found something else! It has been empty now for three weeks, and we have had no interest at all. Also, the window frames have to be painted throughout to re-rent. No tenant, no rent, a no-brainer. I am off to light the fire and sip a glass of wine. I have a sister in hospital and have her dog to look after so my cats are not too pleased. Courtenay is off on a five-week holiday, also, with her husband, Duncan, who is our handyman. Actually, I think it will be more than one glass of wine. It can only get better. Good renting. Sylvia Lund AREINZ
Authorised by Paul Goldsmith, 107 Great South Road, Epsom HON PAUL GOLDSMITH NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN EPSOM
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