I'm quitting work to go on a sickness benefit

[Kickaha]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/3184274/Couple-on-benefits-since-1984

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is vowing to crack down on benefit abuse after revelations a Christchurch beneficiary family with gang connections has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars over 25 years.

Information obtained by The Press shows Marcia Harris and her husband, former gang leader Darryl Harris, have claimed unemployment and sickness benefits continuously since 1984.

They are one of about 300 couples who draw about $1000 a week in benefits from the taxpayer and are the subjects of a government audit.

They have four children, three of whom are also drawing benefits.

In addition, they have received $30,000 in special-needs grants since 2000, including $16,000 in the past two years.

Among the successful applications were grants to put new tyres on the couple's 2007 silver Chrysler saloon and to fence a swimming pool at one of several properties the family owns in Christchurch.

The couple claimed they needed to sell the property and could not do so unless the pool was properly fenced.

Recent efforts to cancel Darryl Harris' sickness benefit failed after he obtained a medical opinion stating he was addicted to cannabis.

The opinion was from one of Work and Income's "designated doctors" after the agency appealed against a medical opinion that Harris was suffering from "stress and anxiety" over being work-tested.

The designated-doctor scheme was introduced this year in a bid to curb the growing number of sickness beneficiaries listing drug and alcohol abuse as the primary reason for being unable to work, which is up 17 per cent on 3842 last year.

This year Marcia Harris was ordered to repay some benefits granted by Work and Income, including one to pay for her car to be released after being impounded. She was driving without a licence at the time.

Work and Income paid for the family to spend 10 nights at a Christchurch hotel, the Towers on the Park, in 2007 after their Islington home burnt down, a review of the family's case found.

Since then the family has been transferred to a special "remote monitoring" unit. The unit deals with Work and Income clients deemed too dangerous for face-to-face meetings with staff.

The grants have continued, with three of the six special-needs grants applied for last month by the Harris family accepted by Work and Income.

"It's absolutely wrong. New Zealanders should know what the system is doing," one source close to the case told The Press.
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Work and Income "has tried everything this year and nothing's worked, so your tax dollars are going for him [Darryl Harris] to smoke dope", the source said.

Bennett said she believed Work and Income was doing its best with the tools it had, but it did not have the mechanisms to address the hardest cases.

"New Zealanders expect two things of the welfare system – that it supports people who really need a hand and that it is fair," she said. "Unfortunately, there are cases that prove to us that as it stands, the system isn't always fair."

Bennett said she planned to introduce pledges made by National during last year's election campaign but shelved this year because of the recession.

They include work-testing for domestic purpose beneficiaries whose youngest child has turned six, compulsory budgeting advice sessions for beneficiaries who claim frequent grants, and part-time work obligations for some sickness and invalid beneficiaries.

The Government plans to suspend or reduce benefits for those who refuse to comply with requests to attend work interviews or take up work opportunities.

The Harris family did not answer the door yesterday when a reporter called at their home for comment.

[peasea]

It's infuriating, isn't it?

If all our taxes were used for the purposes they were intended I would imagine our international ranking as a 'shit-together' nation would soar. Better health care, better education, better roads and much more besides could all be ours, if we just stopped throwing money at bludgers. (And there are many more bludgers than simply dole and sickness benefit bludgers; what has that damned treaty cost the nation over the years?)

Get yourself the right quack (yes, quack) and you're set for years to come; tyres for the Chrysler and fencing for the pool (a pool is essential when you have all day to use it) are just two items the taxpayer can flick your way when you have a PhD in BYWTL. (That's 'Bludging Your Way Through Life'.)

I don't mind helping the needy but this smells ever so slightly of large rodent.

I also love this line;
"The Government plans to suspend or reduce benefits for those who refuse to comply with requests to attend work interviews or take up work opportunities."

Why the blazes haven't they done this before? It should be policy!

[Genestho]

The whole story is just taking the piss out of taxpayers, but it's all ok Peasea, don't fret - we know (if payback is required) it'll be paid back @ $5 per month over 50 years.:2thumbsup

[Pussy]

That family has been on the benefit so long that WINZ will have to pay them redundancy.
Probably put a farewell on for them, too

[Genestho]

That family has been on the benefit so long that WINZ will have to pay them redundancy.
Probably put a farewell on for them, too

don't forget the Golden handshake and bonuses...:lol:

[Pussy]

don't forget the Golden handshake and bonuses...:lol:

Definitely a performance bonus... they managed to spawn another three leeches

[caseye]

It'd be a brave soul who comes here to this thread and has a rant about being ripped off by bottom dwelling scum sucking low lifes!
Pity there isn't ONE such soul ( Paula BENNETT, whimp!) in our Govt agency!
Pull the F.....g pin.

[Murray]

They could always go on ACC they have a billion dolar surplus. Surely being hooked on drugs is a work related accident for all gang members!!

[merv]

How come Kick do you need some tyres for your Chrysler now too?

[pc220]

That is just bullshit. Yet when someone who works all their life hits a bit of a rough patch and approaches WINZ, they get nothing until all ther assets are gone and are in an even worse position and even more dependant on welfare.How the fuck can a benificary be driving a 2007 Chrysler?. Bring on asset testing for these bludgers.

[Pixie]

The whole story is just taking the piss out of taxpayers, but it's all ok Peasea, don't fret - we know (if payback is required) it'll be paid back @ $5 per month over 50 years.:2thumbsup

Via a special grant to provide the extra $5

[steve_t]

Fuck, some people really know how to wring every last cent out of the system, and then they tell all their mates. I think there were some gang affiliates here in Hamilton a while back who all got money for clothes "so they could go to work interviews", but also washing machines to wash those clothes, and CARS to go to interviews in. They were getting extra food allowance money for their kids after drinking, smoking, drugs, and gambling meant there wasn't enough to feed them!! As inflammatory as it was, I think Michael Laws was on to something when he suggested paying beneficiaries a lump sum to get sterilized. It would definitely save the country money in the long run and reduce the number of kids whose parents couldn't give a flying fuck about them :mad:
I'm with you guys. Benefits should be there to help those in need, not a way of life!!!! :angry2:

[PrincessBandit]

I'm sure this family are by no means the only ones doing this. It will be the tip of the iceburg and as a nation we will be horrified by how much abuse of the system goes on.

There are some folk out there who claim lack of training, education (the education system is against them...), and a "fair start in life" all are perfectly legitimate justifications for ripping the honest hardworking tax payer off. Let's face it - they're not ripping off the "system"; the "system" is US, the tax payer. If not for us, the govt. wouldn't have any funding for these leeches; it's just sad for us we have no say in the matter.

[Skyryder]

The follow up story to this is that a mother with cancer had a grant refused for clothing her child now has it granted after going to the Press.

Paula Bennet needs to find out what is going on here in Chch instead of the one liners she's drip feeding the public for her 'benefit.'


Skyryder

[JimO]

whats the big deal with the harris's those 300c tyres dont pay for themselves you know, most of the maori population are ripping the system as well at least harris has something to show for it

[scissorhands]

I'm sure this family are by no means the only ones doing this. It will be the tip of the iceburg and as a nation we will be horrified by how much abuse of the system goes on.

There are some folk out there who claim lack of training, education (the education system is against them...), and a "fair start in life" all are perfectly legitimate justifications for ripping the honest hardworking tax payer off. Let's face it - they're not ripping off the "system"; the "system" is US, the tax payer. If not for us, the govt. wouldn't have any funding for these leeches; it's just sad for us we have no say in the matter.

There are also scumbags at the top doing the same but for more(Bill English's 2nd house). Joe public lets it happen. By standing by and not protesting(sheep), this will all continue. Some of societies fringe culture people, understand that its a rort, and has been for many years so have given up on contributing to the emperor with no clothes. The working man is not only a sucker, but like a wifey who lies to the boss for her alcoholic hubby, many kiwis encourage poor behavior in others by being too nice.

I believe that the likes of these bludgers use intimidation and property damage to anyone who stands up to them.

[PrincessBandit]

Interesting to read this this morning too, from the article in stuff:


..."Time-limited benefits were proposed by former National Party leader Don Brash, but the party dropped the idea before last year's election as too controversial.

Ms Bennett said the idea needed to be reconsidered in the light of new figures revealing the number of long-term beneficiaries.

Prime Minister John Key said he was concerned about the benefit revelations. Though most recipients needed their benefits and did not abuse the system, the Government would crack down on those who abused it, he said.

Other changes under consideration by the Government are understood to include work-testing for domestic purpose beneficiaries whose youngest child has turned six, compulsory budgeting advice for beneficiaries who claim frequent grants, and part-time work obligations for some sickness and invalid beneficiaries.

Information made public yesterday under the Official Information Act shows 6654 people have been on unemployment benefit for more than a year as of September, and 816 on the dole for more than five years.

Harris is on a sickness benefit because he has a medical opinion saying he has cannabis addiction. He must get reassessed by a doctor every 13 weeks, but Work and Income said yesterday that it could not force him to undertake drug or alcohol rehabilitation under existing laws."...

No, he couldn't possibly be forced to undertake rehab, as that could take away his right to continue bludging.

[Marmoot]

Simple answer: public trial.

In a corporate situation, investors have the right to examine how the directors and management spend their dollars. They would be called into a meeting where the investors grill them with questions. When the answers are not satisfactory, they get fired, and perhaps taken to court if there is a gross negligence.

So, what if a group of taxpayers band together and knock on these beneficiaries' door (perhaps with some pitchforks) and demand answers?

[Tank]

The follow up story to this is that a mother with cancer had a grant refused for clothing her child now has it granted after going to the Press.

Paula Bennet needs to find out what is going on here in Chch instead of the one liners she's drip feeding the public for her 'benefit.'


Skyryder

probaly another person dug up by labour - like thay have done so many times this year. They normally end up back firing.

Up upshot is Bennet dosnt know EVERY case in NZ - shes starting with the dogs ball obvious piss takes that are costing the country 100's of thosands of dollars.

Shes doing a good job - good on her.

[Tank]

The follow up story to this is that a mother with cancer had a grant refused for clothing her child now has it granted after going to the Press.

Paula Bennet needs to find out what is going on here in Chch instead of the one liners she's drip feeding the public for her 'benefit.'


Skyryder

Found the article - fuck some of you love putting a slant on things:

Play the bleeding heart about the cancer - but she didnt have it when it was declined:

"Bonnie Avery, 20, was refused a $119 Work and Income special-needs grant to buy clothes for baby Cordae in June. She has since been diagnosed with a malignant tumour and requires chemotherapy every third week at Christchurch Hospital."

And why was she declined?

"She said the baby-clothes grant was originally declined because she was still repaying a $920 grant for a fridge and a washing machine."

[avgas]

I still think they should go back to meal ticket system

They also should INVEST in a benefit fraud hotline......I have found myself in many situations where I have attempted to become an anon nark.....only to find that it is almost impossible.

I know of 1 family in auckland. House is worth $900K (they paid cash) - they also have 4 rental homes, currently getting overseas retirement pay, and NZ unemployment benefit, and working a cash job. Probably pulling back about 400K a year mabey more.
WINZ sends their statement advice to their house.....every house in this street has a CV of over 800K.

[Murray]

The follow up story to this is that a mother with cancer had a grant refused for clothing her child now has it granted after going to the Press.

Paula Bennet needs to find out what is going on here in Chch instead of the one liners she's drip feeding the public for her 'benefit.'


Skyryder


Found the article - fuck some of you love putting a slant on things:

Play the bleeding heart about the cancer - but she didnt have it when it was declined:

"Bonnie Avery, 20, was refused a $119 Work and Income special-needs grant to buy clothes for baby Cordae in June. She has since been diagnosed with a malignant tumour and requires chemotherapy every third week at Christchurch Hospital."

And why was she declined?

"She said the baby-clothes grant was originally declined because she was still repaying a $920 grant for a fridge and a washing machine."

Good Call Tank - whose "drip feeding" the public now Mr Skyryder!!!

[avgas]

Simple answer: public trial.

In a corporate situation, investors have the right to examine how the directors and management spend their dollars. They would be called into a meeting where the investors grill them with questions. When the answers are not satisfactory, they get fired, and perhaps taken to court if there is a gross negligence.

So, what if a group of taxpayers band together and knock on these beneficiaries' door (perhaps with some pitchforks) and demand answers?
I'm keen for that - do they do an annual release of Financial statements?

[Grasshopperus]

Addicted to cannabis LOL!

You can pay a doctor to prescribe or diagnose anything.

I'm addicted to hookers, fast food, double-parking, caviar and murderizing... gimme gimme gimme!

[avgas]

I'm with you guys. Benefits should be there to help those in need, not a way of life!!!!
Sad fact of the matter is no one needs it.
I have been fortunate enough to help families who are not claiming. They are the true heroes of society.
It was those experiences that told me that you will never get the right people on a benefit - so therefore the benefit should not exist any-more.

[avgas]

Addicted to cannabis LOL!

You can pay a doctor to prescribe or diagnose anything.

I'm addicted to hookers, fast food, double-parking, caviar and murderizing... gimme gimme gimme!
Its my medical opinion that you have too much time. Deduct accordingly

[peasea]

probaly another person dug up by labour - like thay have done so many times this year. They normally end up back firing.

Up upshot is Bennet dosnt know EVERY case in NZ - shes starting with the dogs ball obvious piss takes that are costing the country 100's of thosands of dollars.

Shes doing a good job - good on her.

Yup, she had to start somewhere.

[scissorhands]

Personally, I have nothing against work, particularly when performed, quietly and unobtrusively, by someone else. I just don't happen to think it's an appropriate subject for an "ethic."

Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you.

The heights by great men reached and kept / Were not attained by sudden flight, / But they, while their companions slept, / Were toiling upward in the night.

The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.

If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept it all to themselves.

What work I have done I have done because it has been play. If it had been work I shouldn't have done it. Who was it who said, "Blessed is the man who has found his work"? Whoever it was he had the right idea in his mind. Mark you, he says his work--not somebody else's work. The work that is really a man's own work is play and not work at all. Cursed is the man who has found some other man's work and cannot lose it. When we talk about the great workers of the world we really mean the great players of the world. The fellows who groan and sweat under the weary load of toil that they bear never can hope to do anything great. How can they when their souls are in a ferment of revolt against the employment of their hands and brains? The product of slavery, intellectual or physical, can never be great.

The Roots of Violence:
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice,
Politics without principles.

[Kickaha]

One of the things that article bought out was that a young guy (20ish)at work saw nothing wrong with what that parasite was doing and said if he could get away with it he would, he also didn't seem to believe that I wouldn't do the same if I had the chance

[Skyryder]

Found the article - fuck some of you love putting a slant on things:

Play the bleeding heart about the cancer - but she didnt have it when it was declined:

"Bonnie Avery, 20, was refused a $119 Work and Income special-needs grant to buy clothes for baby Cordae in June. She has since been diagnosed with a malignant tumour and requires chemotherapy every third week at Christchurch Hospital."

And why was she declined?

"She said the baby-clothes grant was originally declined because she was still repaying a $920 grant for a fridge and a washing machine."

And she goes public and get's it. No slant on my post. Ya just need to fucken read in the normal position like everybody else does.


Skyryder

[ynot slow]

And when like me at the time asks,can you fund my application for forklift endorsement,class 4 licence $1450 or so from salvation army,can do over 1 week they say nah to expensive,seems if I was 18-24yrs,uneducated,and ethnic I'd be fine,but being edumacated,white and over 40,no go.Even offered to pay back,had written letters saying if I had these licences I'd have temporary work straight away,which would goto full time according to recruitment agency and private employers who I rang.

[Subike]

Has anyone mentioned that this family also won first division lotto in the early 90"s

[Skyryder]

Good Call Tank - whose "drip feeding" the public now Mr Skyryder!!!

Both you and Tank conveniantly miss my point. No sooner had Bonnie Avery got some media attention, dismissed grant.............gets granted.

Bennet has leaped on the Harris rort for some good old fashioned benifit bashing.


I would have thought that some questions needed answering on how Harris was granted money for tyres on 2007 Chrysler and why he was given money for fencing a pool on property that he owned. Like how does a benificary get to won one of these cars??

But oh no let's go after those who are least able to defend themselves.

Good one Paula.


Skyryder

[Kickaha]

How come Kick do you need some tyres for your Chrysler now too?

No but I do need tyres for my MHR though, maybe I can get a special grant ;)

[Pussy]

No but I do need tyres for my MHR though, maybe I can get a special grant ;)

Just apply for a new 1198R Baylis.... they come with new tyres

[Kickaha]

Just apply for a new 1198R Baylis.... they come with new tyres

rubber band rubbish, wouldn't piss on one to put it out if it was on fire

I was actually on a benefit once about 24 years ago for three months, I even let them know they'd overpaid me and paid them back the excess, obviously that's not the way to do it

[rainman]

Information obtained by The Press shows Marcia Harris and her husband, former gang leader Darryl Harris, have claimed unemployment and sickness benefits continuously since 1984.

So my question, to all of the governments of the previous 25 years, is: why have you not fixed this?


Why the blazes haven't they done this before?

Exactly.


Yet when someone who works all their life hits a bit of a rough patch and approaches WINZ, they get nothing until all ther assets are gone and are in an even worse position and even more dependant on welfare.

Too true. I've been out of regular work since the middle of the year, and find there's not a lot of call for the stuff I can do in the present economy. My wife is a teacher, so I'm not entitled to any financial assistance from WINZ (not particularly keen on that anyway) - but I have called them and asked what help they could provide me in a) finding work, or b) retraining to be more employable. They have basically zero interest in this, and have told me to come back when my wife's contract ends and we run out of leave pay etc. (Which won't be too long, tbh - we live a modest life but are poor immigrants, and also have had some extraordinary overseas expenses of late).

There's a structural incentive in the way WINZ works for me to spend up the meager savings we have until we're under the threshold so that they'll pay our mortgage etc, then sit back and get them to fund some retraining. (The rational economic decision is for my wife not to work, either, we'll almost get more in benefits and supplements than she can make as a teacher). I'm not very comfortable with this, to say the least, so doubt it will come to that. They just don't seem to have any interest in the W in WINZ - I'm keen to work, and am applying for everything that even vaguely looks like I can do it, but there are bugger-all jobs... my track record so far is two interviews and one short contract, in six months. Despite my cautious financial approach, that ain't gonna pay the mortgage.


I'm sure this family are by no means the only ones doing this.

Not sure how you can be "sure" about that.


..."Time-limited benefits were proposed by former National Party leader Don Brash

Time limited benefits will achieve nothing but an increase in admin. Some people will need, for legitimate reasons, to stay on a benefit for longer than a year. The policy changes required need to be based around willingness to work, and the validity of the medical grounds for sickness benefits - providing of course that people who genuinely can't work aren't screwed over.


I still think they should go back to meal ticket system

...

I know of 1 family in auckland. House is worth $900K (they paid cash) - they also have 4 rental homes, currently getting overseas retirement pay, and NZ unemployment benefit, and working a cash job. Probably pulling back about 400K a year mabey more.
WINZ sends their statement advice to their house.....every house in this street has a CV of over 800K.

Meal tickets not a silly idea, but I suspect would lead to more admin; people do not all have equivalent circumstances.

So what's stopping you dobbing them in? The welfare system is not a bad thing in itself, in fact it's a bloody good thing - but crooks are crooks and need to get what's coming to them.

[Paul in NZ]

Has anyone mentioned that this family also won first division lotto in the early 90"s

Or that it would be a pretty ballsy reporter that would knock on their door. gang connections? They were the gang...

[Motig]

ACC increase for motorcycles - remember that? Remember your reaction? Motorcyclists shouldn't be singled out, its unfair etc etc. Mean while all the other ACC premiums went up and not a word. All Paula is doing is using the politicians divide and conquer by press releasing extreme cases of benefit rort as an excuse to cut benefits, just because the very vast majority of beneficeries make do with the bare minimun doesn't come into it. What should be investigated is WINZ itself for allowing these extreme cases to happen, they already have the so called proper guidelines in place. And you'll find that out if you ever have the bad luck to be made redundant that getting the benefit and what you think your entitled to isn't easy.And lastly - what a caring government, the countrys still in recession, people still being made redundant so what do they do- bring on the good old National Govts favourite sport- Benefit bashing.

[Toaster]

That family has been on the benefit so long that WINZ will have to pay them redundancy.
Probably put a farewell on for them, too

Now that's funny!

[h211]

The thing is though, he has done nothing illegal. Dont get me wrong, its a fucking mess like most things that are government run and it infuriates me to the point where I want to smash my own computer, but the winz are the ones approving this sht. Everyone involved should lose their jobs.

[brendonjw]

As mentioned previously, why not pay the dole/benefit using vouchers, food (vouchers that cannot be redeemed for tobacco or alcohol), petrol, rates etc and then maybe $10 a week cash for a entertainment aspect. Stop making it so cushy and give them more of a incentive to get out and find some jobs. Last time i checked The Herald and Seek were still advertising 100's of jobs

[rainman]

Stop making it so cushy and give them more of a incentive to get out and find some jobs. Last time i checked The Herald and Seek were still advertising 100's of jobs

Buddy, if you think the dole is cushy you need to recalibrate.

And the 100's of jobs don't mean shit. I'm presentable and qualified and I'm still not getting hits onSeek/Herald/TM/CareerJet/...etc jobs. If I was some (ex-?) gang member with presentation issues, living outside of a major centre I would stand no hope at all. There is a big ferkin recession on, y'know.

[White trash]

No but I do need tyres for my MHR though, maybe I can get a special grant ;)
Bullshit.

It doesn't run long enough to wear the tyres it's got out.

[avgas]

bring on the good old National Govts favourite sport- Benefit bashing.
Errrr hate to state the obvious - but if your removed the benefits, this would mean National would have nothing to do.
I'm no national supporter or anything, but if labour was adamant they were going to defeat National on this the answers are obvious:
- Fix it
or
- Dump it

[avgas]

Buddy, if you think the dole is cushy you need to recalibrate.

And the 100's of jobs don't mean shit. I'm presentable and qualified and I'm still not getting hits onSeek/Herald/TM/CareerJet/...etc jobs. If I was some (ex-?) gang member with presentation issues, living outside of a major centre I would stand no hope at all. There is a big ferkin recession on, y'know.
Errr it is cushy......
I was one of those "Recession sackees" who had to find my feet again. I was very presentable and skilled enough to do multiple jobs. Sadly I could not get the dole.
Do you know what its like to live of your life savings? Forget your 3 meals a day for a start - Pasta is $1.39 at its cheapest, usually at a pack'n'save 5km walk away.
You have to save gas for the interviews.
Just looked at my emails - there were 2435 application receipt emails from Seek. Not bad considering I wasn't getting paid for those 3 months I was applying for those jobs. Did 22 interviews. Applied for everything from Directorship to making coffee.

If you think its hard on a small income - try no income.
Personally I think the whole "I'm ex-gang, no one will hire me" is bullshit - I would rather pay for a man on a shovel that one with no spine. Plenty of work out there - just no govt scheme to support it.

[rainman]

Do you know what its like to live of your life savings?

All too well.

[Deano]

I would have thought that some questions needed answering on how Harris was granted money for tyres on 2007 Chrysler and why he was given money for fencing a pool on property that he owned. Like how does a benificary get to won one of these cars??

But oh no let's go after those who are least able to defend themselves.




But she is asking these questions isn't she ?

Least able to defend themselves ? These people make a living out of knowing how to rort the system.

The rorters are not naieve, poor defenseless souls.

I think you're a little deluded.

[Deano]

but the winz are the ones approving this sht. Everyone involved should lose their jobs.

Including the doctors approving sickness benefits for drug addiction. Addicted to cannabis my arse.

As for the rorters out there - they obviously consider the benefit option lifestyle choice IS a cushier option than working for your money eh.

[eelracing]

ACC increase for motorcycles - remember that? Remember your reaction? Motorcyclists shouldn't be singled out, its unfair etc etc. Mean while all the other ACC premiums went up and not a word.

All Paula is doing is using the politicians divide and conquer by press releasing extreme cases of benefit rort as an excuse to cut benefits, just because the very vast majority of beneficeries make do with the bare minimun doesn't come into it. What should be investigated is WINZ itself for allowing these extreme cases to happen, they already have the so called proper guidelines in place.

And you'll find that out if you ever have the bad luck to be made redundant that getting the benefit and what you think your entitled to isn't easy.

And lastly - what a caring government, the countrys still in recession, people still being made redundant so what do they do- bring on the good old National Govts favourite sport- Benefit bashing.


Wake up NZ your being played again...Just thought this post was worth repeating.

[Skyryder]

But she is asking these questions isn't she ?

Least able to defend themselves ? These people make a living out of knowing how to rort the system.

The rorters are not naieve, poor defenseless souls.

I think you're a little deluded.

If Bennet was refering to the rorters I'd agree with you but she is not.

She wants to apply the 12 month reapplication to all those who have been on a benefit for twelve months. No one has asked the costing of this. I doubt if Bennet if the Nats will raise the the dollars to cover the extra cost so expect to see a reduction in benefit levels either by way of stand down time or payments. We still have rising unemployment. So much for Keys granstanding on the Job Summit. Seasonal employment is less than other years.

Bennet has seized upon the Harris rort as an excuse for a bit of good old fashioned benefit bashing.


Skyryder

[Skyryder]

That family has been on the benefit so long that WINZ will have to pay them redundancy.
Probably put a farewell on for them, too
:2thumbsup


Skyryder

[Skyryder]

Wake up NZ your being played again...Just thought this post was worth repeating.


Yes. And the other thing that has conveniantly been forgotton is that when Smith first started mouthing on about ACC being in the red most on here believed him. Smith merely applied the 'lie' and waited to see the reaction. Not only did most on here accept his version of ACC's financial position without question so too did most of the country.




Skyryder

[Tank]

If Bennet was refering to the rorters I'd agree with you but she is not.

She wants to apply the 12 month reapplication to all those who have been on a benefit for twelve months. ....

Bennet has seized upon the Harris rort as an excuse for a bit of good old fashioned benefit bashing.



For unemployment benefit: Fuck the 12 months - it should be reviewed every 3 months. If they dont have a job they should be made to do mandatory community service.

Yep - shock to some - but actually contributing to soceity in a positive manner.


pfft on benefit bashing - they are getting $$$$ for fuck all - they should be accountable to the tax payer for that. A yearly review is fuck all to have to do.

[Kickaha]

Bullshit.

It doesn't run long enough to wear the tyres it's got out.

Not to different from owning an MVX then


Including the doctors approving sickness benefits for drug addiction. Addicted to cannabis my arse.

The Doctor that gave that assessment was one of Work and Income's "designated doctors" though


The opinion was from one of Work and Income's "designated doctors" after the agency appealed against a medical opinion that Harris was suffering from "stress and anxiety" over being work-tested.

The designated-doctor scheme was introduced this year in a bid to curb the growing number of sickness beneficiaries listing drug and alcohol abuse as the primary reason for being unable to work, which is up 17 per cent on 3842 last year.

[MIXONE]

Does anyone here know the family involved?
I have had dealings with them and they are one scarey family.
I sure as fuck wouldn't want to deliver the news that their dole had been cut.

[Maki]

"Among the successful applications were grants to put new tyres on the couple's 2007 silver Chrysler saloon"

The people responsible for keeping this system going are just as guilty as those who rip it off. To get anything out of the system you should be obliged to spend 8 hours of day at a given location, NOT your home. If you can work you work. If you can't you just sit there. The surroundings should be drab, boring and uncomfortable. People would get themselves off the dole soon enough if the system was like that.

[Tank]

I sure as fuck wouldn't want to deliver the news that their dole had been cut.

Should be delivered by bullet.

[wbks]

Whats so bad about the family?

[SPman]

Stop making it so cushy and give them more of a incentive to get out and find some jobs. Last time i checked The Herald and Seek were still advertising 100's of jobs
So you have been married with a family, unable to get a job,and on the unemployment benefit for how long? Cushy! A word bandied about by those with a low level of expectations and who really haven't got a fucking clue!

People would get themselves off the dole soon enough if the system was like that. Most people do get themselves off the dole as soon as possible, but, there's more to be made in bashing the 10% who don't and applying the doings of the worst, to tar the majority!
Typical Paula B - pick a case like the Harris scumbags and somehow imply, this is normal.......

[Subike]

Does anyone here know the family involved?
I have had dealings with them and they are one scarey family.
I sure as fuck wouldn't want to deliver the news that their dole had been cut.

Hey guys,
how many of you have any idea at all about the Harris brothers?
This family would be the most violent group in the chch area.
They are extreamly well known to the police, courts, any almost any govt department they can extord funds out of.
They were the family that caused the police to promote the "consorting with known criminals law"
They have been respocibile for many beatings, arsons, drug deal, burglaries etc and nealy all of them have done jail time, including their wives . It is on public record the activities this one family has done.
If you think that it would be just a matter of fronting up to them and saying, " your benifit has been cancelled" Expect you house to be burnt, your car trashed, your children hasseled, and you would be basically looking over you sholder everythine a car backfired. They are known to carry weapons.
The Harris Brothers........one of NZs worst families

If you think Im am finger pointing and making bold asertions about them, just go look up that name in the public court records of the press, they are well known crims

[MIXONE]

Whats so bad about the family?

Just ask anybody from Chchur and they will no doubt be able to tell you a few stories.
They were originally known as the Harris Gang but later developed into the Road Knights.
A bad pack of bastards without doubt.

[avgas]

Hey guys,
how many of you have any idea at all about the Harris brothers?
This family would be the most violent group in the chch area.
They are extreamly well known to the police, courts, any almost any govt department they can extord funds out of.
They were the family that caused the police to promote the "consorting with known criminals law"
They have been respocibile for many beatings, arsons, drug deal, burglaries etc and nealy all of them have done jail time, including their wives . It is on public record the activities this one family has done.
If you think that it would be just a matter of fronting up to them and saying, " your benifit has been cancelled" Expect you house to be burnt, your car trashed, your children hasseled, and you would be basically looking over you sholder everythine a car backfired. They are known to carry weapons.
The Harris Brothers........one of NZs worst families

If you think Im am finger pointing and making bold asertions about them, just go look up that name in the public court records of the press, they are well known crims

Those 'bullet notes' sound better every post. Mabey Tank is onto something

[ynot slow]

Buddy, if you think the dole is cushy you need to recalibrate.

And the 100's of jobs don't mean shit. I'm presentable and qualified and I'm still not getting hits onSeek/Herald/TM/CareerJet/...etc jobs. If I was some (ex-?) gang member with presentation issues, living outside of a major centre I would stand no hope at all. There is a big ferkin recession on, y'know.

My point exactly as well,you see the idiots at WINZ turn up scruffy as and expect a job,wtf.At least make an effort to look like you want a job.

Also if you have money to launder lol,go to a local TAB open an account and deposit the money into it,not a bank so you can honestly say you've no assets in a bank.

[rainman]

A yearly review is fuck all to have to do.

You gonna pay for all the extra admin costs?



how many of you have any idea at all about the Harris brothers?
This family would be the most violent group in the chch area.
...
The Harris Brothers........one of NZs worst families


So, why are they not in jail now? Last I looked you don't get UB in jail? And I thought from Paula's leaked story to Espiner that they'd been on benefits continuously for 25 years...

[HenryDorsetCase]

And she goes public and get's it. No slant on my post. Ya just need to fucken read in the normal position like everybody else does.


Skyryder

sitting hunched over on the dunny, with sweat trickling down your brow?

[Tank]

Typical Paula B - pick a case like the Harris scumbags and somehow imply, this is normal.......

As far as Im concerned - there are jobs out there. To have someone unemployed for over 12 months makes them just like the Harris family.

[Kickaha]

Typical Paula B - pick a case like the Harris scumbags and somehow imply, this is normal.......

I don't really think thats what the intention was or that it was implied it was normal



Hey guys,
how many of you have any idea at all about the Harris brothers?


Used to be a client of ours, always paid cash no matter how expensive the item:cool:

On of their scumbag associates did hit 3 of our stores for around $3500 worth of goods with a stolen cheque book though

[rainman]

As far as Im concerned - there are jobs out there. To have someone unemployed for over 12 months makes them just like the Harris family.

On the basis of what? I've been looking for months and applying for anything that looks even close, and have not had great results. There are always jobs out there, true - but the real issue is that there are fewer, and lesser, jobs, that businesses are still not enthusiastic to create new roles, and hiring managers are being more and more picky and specifying tighter prereqs and required experience than ever. Friends of mine have even given up on getting work in NZ and have returned to the UK for a while (leaving family behind). We are still well in the grip of the recession, employment-wise. In an environment like this, being unemployed for 12 months is quite feasible.

[Tank]

On the basis of what? I've been looking for months and applying for anything that looks even close, and have not had great results. There are always jobs out there, true - but the real issue is that there are fewer, and lesser, jobs, that businesses are still not enthusiastic to create new roles, and hiring managers are being more and more picky and specifying tighter prereqs and required experience than ever. Friends of mine have even given up on getting work in NZ and have returned to the UK for a while (leaving family behind). We are still well in the grip of the recession, employment-wise. In an environment like this, being unemployed for 12 months is quite feasible.

And if you are trying hard like that (and I assume you are - and I feel for anyone in that situation) - would you have a problem reapplying after 12 months.

Some of the more left leaning folk on here find that a reprehensible thing to have to do.

BTW - the K is well more fucked than NZ - more chance of jobs down here !!!

[scumdog]

Has anyone mentioned that this family also won first division lotto in the early 90"s

Actually had another big win too.

Man, when you look at that family you can just see how well they've benefitted from leeching off the tax-payers.

Pictures of glowing health and testimony to good living they ain't....

[popelli]

No, he couldn't possibly be forced to undertake rehab, as that could take away his right to continue bludging.

simple just makes the benefits conditional upon under taking rehab

no rehab = no benefit, simple and fair

[Skyryder]

simple just makes the benefits conditional upon under taking rehab

no rehab = no benefit, simple and fair


Sounds fair to me.


Skyryder

[T.W.R]

Has anyone mentioned that this family also won first division lotto in the early 90"s

It was a shared 1st division win :yes:

:pinch: but...but, they did good with the $650K that they won :yes: buying a nice big house in greenpark and buying an affiliation with the roadknights :lol:

Then going on to try and seed a change of power in the devil's henchmen.....funny as when all the old boys gave them the :bash:

They're a cornerstone of Christchurch whitepower gangs......even the oldman had dealings with them in the 60s when he was in the Christchurch City council MOT

[scissorhands]

Dont fuck with the family Louie.... forget about it

[scumdog]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/3184274/Couple-on-benefits-since-1984

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is vowing to crack down on benefit abuse after revelations a Christchurch beneficiary family with gang connections has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars over 25 years.

Information obtained by The Press shows Marcia Harris and her husband, former gang leader Darryl Harris, have claimed unemployment and sickness benefits continuously since 1984.

They are one of about 300 couples who draw about $1000 a week in benefits from the taxpayer and are the subjects of a government audit.

They have four children, three of whom are also drawing benefits.

In addition, they have received $30,000 in special-needs grants since 2000, including $16,000 in the past two years.

Among the successful applications were grants to put new tyres on the couple's 2007 silver Chrysler saloon and to fence a swimming pool at one of several properties the family owns in Christchurch.

The couple claimed they needed to sell the property and could not do so unless the pool was properly fenced.....yadda yadda yadda..

.

I see things are about to/have changed for Mr "I am leeching off you tax-payers" Harris, good shit.

[ellipsis]

...there is a symbiotic relationship between govt departments like winz and their 'clients'...without the bottom feeders a whole heap of rorting bastards and bitches who run these departments wouldn't be on the huge salaries and fringe benefits that they themselves suck from the taxpayer...NZ if run properly, by honest, diligent and caring leaders would not have the social disorders and problems that we face now...but it would definitely be a whole lot different than it is now...maybe not how everyone who treads the WHEEL of WANT would like it to be...ship the fucking lot off to the Auckland Islands...preferably under their own steam in a leaky boat...bottom feeders and rorting leadership...I bet they would all get along fine together...honour amongst thieves and all that....

[Kickaha]

I see things are about to/have changed for Mr "I am leeching off you tax-payers" Harris, good shit.

Took 26 years of bludging off a sickness benefit though , 476 comment about it already :lol:

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/8596741/ex-gang-leader-loses-benefit-claimed-for-26-years/

A former Christchurch gang leader will lose the sickness benefit he has claimed for 26 years.

Ministry of Social Development chief executive Peter Hughes said Darryl Harris had been told his sickness benefit would stop from January 10 because "he no longer meets standard eligibility requirements", The Press reported .

Hughes was replying to an Official Information Act request by the newspaper.

The decision comes as the Government takes a tougher line on benefit claims, including work-testing for sickness benefits from May.

Harris, who has three months to appeal against the decision, and his wife, Marcia Robins, made headlines a year ago when it was revealed they had been claiming unemployment and sickness benefits continuously since 1984.

They had received $30,000 in special-needs grants since 2000, including payments for new tyres for their 2007 Chrysler saloon and to fence a swimming pool at one of their Christchurch properties.

Previous efforts to cancel Harris' sickness benefit failed after he obtained a medical opinion that he was addicted to cannabis. The opinion was from one of Work and Income's designated doctors after the agency appealed against a medical opinion that Harris was suffering "stress and anxiety" over being work-tested.

Harris could not be contacted yesterday.
A family member has previously said it was difficult for Harris to find work because "he is an ex-gang member".