Working for Families reform must end discriminatory tax credits

The Government’s reported reform of Working for Families must put an end to the discriminatory tax credits that keep some kids in poverty, the Green Party said today.

“Working for Families doesn’t work for some of the lowest income families in our communities, because they can’t access some tax credits, and this keeps them in poverty,” Green Party Social Development and Employment spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March said today.

“The In-Work Tax Credit and Minimum Family Tax Credit discriminate against families who can’t find paid work or are self-employed, meaning often they can’t access the income support they need to live with dignity.

“COVID-19 showed the importance of supporting everyone in our communities and recognising the value of the unpaid work that keeps us together. At a time when it’s harder to find a job than normal, it’s really important the Government reforms these discriminatory tax credits.

“Working for Families has been effective at raising some family incomes, but not others. We welcome steps to reform it and we encourage the Government to move towards greater universality of income support such as the Green Party’s proposed Guaranteed Minimum Income.

“The Green Party also welcomes reports that the Government is exploring options for families without children, and this needs to recognise that people caring for elderly relatives deserve enough income to live with dignity, independent of their employment status.”

The Green Party’s proposed Guaranteed Minimum Income includes replacing all current Working for Families tax credits with a Family Support Credit for all low and medium income families, of $190 a week for the first child and $120 a week for subsequent children.

ENDS

Action

RENAME, REWRITE, and REJECT the Regulatory Standards Bill

Submit your suggested changes to the Regulatory Standards Bill! Tell us how you'd change the bill and we could take it to the House!

Action

Anniversary of the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill Referendum

If we were to legally regulate cannabis in Aotearoa, what kind of rules would you want to see around access, possession, use, regulations on sale, ...

Action

Save our Polytechs: Campaign Packs

Want to see more supports for our Polytechs? Use these resources to support the campaign!

Action

Save Our Polytechs Petition

Sign our petition today and join us in calling on the Minister for Vocational Education, Hon Penny Simmonds, to Save our Polytechs!

Action

Protect our tamariki - Sign the open letter

Every child in Aotearoa deserves to grow up with safety and stability, wrapped in aroha. Sign our open letter today and help make that a reality!

Action

Stop Growing Homelessness

Sign our petition asking Luxon and Bishop to take action to stop homelessness increasing in Aotearoa.

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Social Development Announcements

Story

Another blow to young people as unemployment reaches near nine-year high

Unemployment has surged to its highest level in close to nine years, with young people bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Govt for the rich failing unemployed New Zealanders

Today’s Ministry of Social Development stats, which show record numbers of New Zealanders relying on benefits, are further proof that the Governmen...

New high in unemployment as Govt punishes the jobless

Latest stats indicating the worst unemployment numbers since the outbreak of the pandemic are further proof that the Government’s policies are forc...

Benefit sanctions double under National as unemployment soars

Latest figures from the Ministry of Social Development show the Government is pushing more and more people into unemployment, while punishing them ...

‘Growth Budget’ = growth in poverty

The Government’s Budget is failing families in poverty by pulling the rug on young people receiving income support and allowing more children to go...

Social Security Amendment Bill pushes poverty on people

The Government’s just-passed Social Security Amendment Bill is set to create more benefit sanctions that will push families deeper into poverty.