Turei, Barclay and truth in politics

It is fundamental for the integrity of the relationship between the governors and the governed that those in public office always tell the truth. Metiria Turei’s indiscretion was foolish and she should now repay the public money wrongly accepted, but her action was as a private citizen. Had a similar untruth been told by her as an MP, she would need to resign.

Bearing that in mind, perhaps Bill English could advise us which of his two versions of the Barclay tape story is correct – the first, that he personally referred the matter to the police; or the second, that he told the police when they were questioning him? It’s not possible for them to both be the truth, is it?

Kerry Burke

Merivale

All’s well that ends well

New Zealand research shows benefit fraudsters are systematically discriminated against, compared with white-collar fraudsters, by the courts. Similarly, the media is after Metiria Turei for admitting she had an extra boarder in her home while on the benefit, but it seems perfectly OK for Todd Barclay to disappear for a bit of gardening leave on full pay.

No-one mentions how much tax Metiria has paid as a successful lawyer and politician, far outweighing the state support she got. Noone mentions the 1991 ‘‘mother of all budgets’’, which Jonathon Boston points to as the single act that plunged a generation of benefit-led families (and Metiria) into poverty.

Liz Gordon

Hornby

No need for bigger benefits

Turei has given us an excellent example of why there is no need to top up welfare benefits – beneficiaries are innovative and will find ways to get the extra money they need.

Or does Turei expect us to believe that if her benefit had been higher she would have declared the cash income? Even worse, would she have taken her accommodation off the market, thereby reducing supply and driving up prices at the bottom end of the market ?

Elliot Dempsey

Hillsborough

What we’ve learnt from this

The take-home lessons from the Metiria Turei confession are: One – Don’t have kids you cannot afford and expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab (and yes, take child support from pay directly). Two – A benefit should be enough to survive on without reducing a solo mother to desperation. The Green Party has learned only the latter lesson, seemingly expecting only the better off to show a social conscience and submit to having their metaphorical

udders greedily milked so that those who bring a child into the world and expect others to spend their time and labour on it (because that is what money in many respects is) can have their progeny and feed them too.

The Greens’ policy is like the sound of one hand clapping.

Darren A Saunders

Waltham

Scoring points from fraud

Some commend the Green Party coleader for her honesty, but she could have been really honest by going to the nearest Winz/MSD office, declared her fraud, and returned the money quietly. Now she is trying to make political capital from it.

Wilhelmus J Noordanus

Avonhead

It’s hard on a benefit

Well done Turei for her honesty and openness. As a social worker with over 40 years’ experience I am amazed how entrepreneurial people must be to survive on the benefit.

Marty Leith

Burwood