Collins - WINZ pays for drunk-drivers to get cars back

Judith Collins MP
National Party Welfare Spokeswoman

19 February 2008

WINZ pays for drunk-drivers to get cars back

Social Development Minister Ruth Dyson needs to explain why she is allowing Work and Income to pay for beneficiaries who have been caught drunk-driving and who have committed other driving offences to have their vehicles handed back to them, says National's Welfare spokeswoman, Judith Collins.

"This practice is rife and has been confirmed by towing companies up and down the country.

"It is outrageous that taxpayer money is being used to basically subvert a legal process to allow people who have committed driving offences to basically get off scott-free.

"Ruth Dyson, when alerted to the fact this was going on last year, told Parliament that before Work and Income would consider whether to pay a beneficiary's parking fine or car towage fees, it would consider whether the applicant had contributed to their situation.

"She further told Parliament that it would be 'unusual for assistance of this type to be provided'.

"We now know that rather than being 'unusual', it is very common for Work and Income to direct-credit tow truck firms to pay outstanding towage and storage costs for beneficiaries whose cars have been impounded because they've been caught drunk-driving or have had their licences stripped from them for other driving offences.

"Rather than considering who is at fault in this situation, Work and Income is paying out taxpayer money to enable people who have unregistered and unsafe cars to get those vehicles back.

"Towing companies are fed up and say they're going public because most New Zealanders would share their alarm.

"Unfortunately, the Minister continues to show how out of touch she is with the pulse of the nation, preferring to turn a blind eye to this unacceptable practice."

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Comments

[reid]

I would have thought the timing was a bit off here - releasing it just when the Glenn thing is beginning to peak. It risks being lost in the wash.

[Andrew Davies]

Only in New Zild

[Ryan Sproull]

I was watching Close Up last night, about the drink-driving lady, and what blew me away is when the cop said, "A month after she got out of prison, she bought a car."

Surely there's a system in place where disqualified drivers aren't able to purchase cars?

[mimg]

Er I am right in thinking that Ruth Dyson was done herself for drink driving a few years back? Perhaps she is not the right person to be in charge of this portfolio............

[dave]

Ruth Dyson missed a few pertinant facts out - WINZ Has to consider the extent to which the Applicant has caused or contributed to the .. situation that has given rise to the particular immediate need.

I would have thought that if the police impound a car because a person was drunk behind the wheel, then the applicant contributed to the situation by breaking the law and driving over the limit, and that the Ministry should take that into acount.

Do you?

[John Boy]

My son's mate left WINZ when they approved a purchase of mag wheels and associated tyres for someone on the dole on the basis he needed a car to go job hunting.

[Acid Comments]

"My son's mate left WINZ when they approved a purchase of mag wheels and associated tyres for someone on the dole on the basis he needed a car to go job hunting."

Yep and I know someone who has 3 28inch color tvs , 3 video cameras, a very expensive 5 grands worth of Nikon digital camera and 4 Motorola RTs (for touch rugby) all payed for by WINZ. He can hardly read, can't count, can't tell the time and it was only because of his 'ethnic' background he got his 'toys' payed for him. If you're not from a certain 'ethnic' background. They'll give you a harder time.

Even if it's to help pay for livesaving expensive medications!