As a National supporter I am not surprised at the sledge hammer assault on beneficiaries by the present Government it is what one should expect from a National Govt.
One wonders what a widow will do if that benefit is cancelled or slashed when left alone with no income and lacking ability to work.
If labour were in power the same sledge hammer blow would be to the wealthy that is the way of politics in NZ. Until we get rid of the distaste for the poor the aged the infirm on the right and on the left the distaste for the wealthy the educated and the intelligentsia in general.
Things will never change in NZ, as long as all that nonsense which is looking backward instead of forward continues in the politics of this country. We have never in NZ had what I would consider to be a really forward looking Govt in NZ. We need to get rid of the reverse gear that exists in NZ politics a Govt should have drive, should look and work towards the future and do what needs doing rather than doing what politics insist they should do.
I would like to see any Govt esp this one come down with the same kind of sledgehammer blow on Judges that allow a possible murderer out on bail. Too many people especially women have been murdered by violent offenders being allowed bail. I wonder could the family take a case against the Judge in a such a case, be an interesting test case if they could.

Alastair Bourne, Bethlehem.