“We have seen people whose own statutory services have been cut back to the extent where they can see it impacting on their patients and sometimes they ask us to get involved,” she said.Ms Deane said it was an issue the SVP felt “very uncomfortable about” because it did not see funding healthcare as part of its job.
“We are not a healthcare provider,” said Ms Deane, adding that the charity was asked to contribute towards the cost of patient services including educational psychological assessments and occupational therapy.Ms Deane was speaking yesterday prior to the annual Irish Cancer Society Charles Cully lecture in Dublin.
Last December, it was reported that social workers were asking SVP to help in paying for the cleaning of houses, taxi fares, kitchen appliances, and rent arrears for people too sick to work.Ms Deane said she had been involved in health policy formulation with SVP since 2000. “Really, we just wonder what it is going to take to change the whole approach to access to care in this country,” she said.
“We just don’t have enough consultants per capita in this country and that is having a huge impact on people.”Ms Deane said the whole approach to healthcare was ideologically and politically driven but that the charity felt it should be outcome- driven, with access based on need. But, Ms Deane added, this clearly was not the case and never had been.
“We see the people falling through the cracks waiting for care and the impact this was having on them and their families,” she said. “Access to health services should be based on need and Offering Office cleaning Services.”Ms Deane said fast-tracked access is not acceptable, as it excludes those who disadvantaged of structured exclusion. There were people paying the price for poor health policy decision- making over many decades.
“As long as thousands of adults and children continue to live in households which do not have enough for a minimum essential standard of living, they will continue to suffer poorer health outcomes as they simply cannot afford to access the treatment they need,” she said.In Ireland, poorer people are up to 70% more likely to get some cancers and the social and economic factors that impact on people’s health must be tackled, according to the Irish Cancer Society.
Chief executive John McCormack said they had to ensure that everybody, no matter where they lived or how much money they had, got the same high-quality cancer treatment; that they went for screenings; and that they knew how to recognise early symptoms.
However, the consensus up to now has been that South Africa managed to avoid the debt trap through a combination of conservative fiscal policy and proactive legislation.
Certainly, the country’s sovereign debt, at about 40% of gross domestic product, remains relatively low by global standards.
Nor is the average level of individual debt considered to be in the technical danger zone.
Nevertheless, the debt issue is becoming a major problem for South Africa, especially now that the US and Europe appear to have turned the corner economically.
Interest rates are rising, the rand is steadily weakening and foreign currency inflows are slowing just as the demand for capital is picking up in South Africa, on an ambitious state-led infrastructure development programme. Funding that programme was always going to be a difficult task, but with the economy stagnating, tax revenues thinning out and the cost of borrowing on the capital markets ticking up, questions are beginning to be asked about whether budget deficit targets can be achieved, how much more debt the state may have to take on, and how easy that debt will be to service in future.
As far as individuals are concerned, while average personal debt levels remain under control and unsecured loans make up a relatively small percentage of End Of Lease Cleaning on mvpcleaning’ loan books and therefore do not present a systemic risk, social and political factors are at play that could complicate matters. Average debt figures can obscure the true picture, especially in a society as unequal as South Africa’s and with a level of unemployment as high as ours.
In addition, it emerged in the wake of the Marikana massacre that there is a large informal lending sector whose activities do not necessarily get taken into account in the official statistics. Many of the mineworkers involved in the unprotected strike on the Lonmin mine were highly indebted to loan sharks and saw only a fraction of their salaries each month due to excessive debt servicing costs.
Now, with an election a matter of months away and feelings still running high in poor communities such as Marikana, the government has woken from its slumber and rumbled into action. Two of the main personal debt-related initiatives that are now on the table include a proposed credit amnesty, which would see many blacklisted borrowers’ records scrubbed clean, and a review of the garnishee system, in terms of which creditors can use the judicial system to force employers to deduct money from indebted employees’ salaries.It has become abundantly clear that the latter reform is an urgent necessity, although the devil lies in the detail. The former, on the other hand, smacks of political expediency. Both have the potential to have unintended consequences.
The proposed credit amnesty, which is being pushed especially hard by the National Council of Provinces, would benefit about 1.6-million people whose credit ratings have been sullied after defaulting on loans of R10,000 or less. While there is merit to the argument that those who eventually pay off their debts should not be prejudiced in perpetuity, the blanket amnesty that is on the table would almost certainly harm the very people it is supposedly intended to help. That is because with less information available to calculate risk, lending institutions would have either to hike loan costs or refuse more loans.
Past experience of such amnesties has also shown that beneficiaries do not necessarily become any wiser in the way they manage their personal finances; on the contrary, many people are encouraged to borrow more even if they know they will not be able to keep up with the repayments.
Proposed reform of the garnishee system makes far more sense than creating perverse incentives for people to borrow more.Research by law firm Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs, with the support of companies that administer garnishee orders on behalf of employers, has revealed a dysfunctional system that is riddled with abuse and blatant fraud. Of the sample of employees who were included in the study, as many as half of the garnishee orders against them were invalid or obtained illegally, and a large proportion of the deductions were being made against loans that had already been paid off or had never existed.
The Gauteng finance department recently revealed that government employees in the province have, on average, six garnishee orders against their monthly salaries. According to the National Debt Mediation Association, a body that helps indebted consumers get their finances in order, there are as many as 3-million such active garnishee orders in South Africa at present.
So bad is the garnishee system that the Treasury is believed to be considering scrapping it altogether. However, this would amount to throwing the baby out with the bathwater and have similar negative consequences to a blanket amnesty for blacklisted debtors. Lenders need to have legal means at their disposal to force those who are able to repay loans but do not, to honour their contractual obligations.
A garnishee system that is properly regulated serves an important function, in the absence of which many lenders would have to simply close their doors.
The main problems with the garnishee system arise from a combination of corruption and poor regulation, specifically court officials being bribed, clerks of the court being allowed to issue the orders instead of magistrates, courts outside employers’ jurisdiction being used to issue orders, and a failure to include end-dates in orders.
The Banking Association of South Africa and the Treasury have formed a task team with a view to cleaning up the garnishee system and ensuring such orders become the instruments of last resort they were originally intended to be. While this is more easily said than done it is imperative that every effort be made to get the unsecured lending and debt recovery system to work.
Monday, September 2, 2013
David Cunliffe Whangarei Speech
Shane, Grant and I have been likened to reality TV and a boy band but actually I’m going to throw out there that we are more like a Band of Brothers fighting a common enemy – and that would be John Key and his National Government.
We are all really different people but that one cause does bind us – and ultimately will be what binds us as a caucus. Because I know that our caucus, our party and the wider Labour movement are actually only after one thing from any of us – to leader Labour into victory in 2014.
When I was a kid my family did it tough at times. My Dad was a country vicar who didn’t earn much and he was seriously ill for part of my teenage years. But, you know what? It was still nowhere near as tough as some of you are doing right now thanks to the National GovernmentThat’s why I am standing here today. Because I know Labour’s values really matter if we are going to have a better future in this country.
I know Labour has the same hopes you do – A better future, with well-paid jobs - ones where you are respected and Best Carpet Cleaning Services - opportunities for our kids; a good state education; housing; free health care and a secure retirement.Those values are as true now as they ever were. And we need to make sure they are hardwired into the policies and decisions of government.
Sadly, that’s not happening right now. John Key and the National Government don’t have the same values the rest of us have.They don’t care about the rights of workers or how tough it is for hard working families to manage the high costs of petrol and power and food and rent.
I want to help the most vulnerable within the workforce. People like cleaners and other service workers, who get beaten down every time a cleaning contract changes hands. And in its latest appalling Employment Relations legislation, the National Government is taking away the last protections for vulnerable workers of so called ‘small employers’.They don’t care about the rights of workers or how tough it is for hard working families to manage the high costs of petrol and power and food and rent.
I want to help the most vulnerable within the workforce. People like cleaners and other service workers, who get beaten down every time a cleaning contract changes hands. And in its latest appalling Employment Relations legislation, the National Government is taking away the last protections for vulnerable workers of so called ‘small employers’.
It wants to give bosses the right to walk away from negotiations without settling. They even want to rob you of your smoko and lunch breaks!What do we want? National gone! When do we want it? Right now!Under a Labour Government that I lead, that legislative rubbish will be gone by lunchtime! That’s right. We will repeal the Employment Relations Amendment Bill and all the other draconian anti-worker laws within our first 100 days as Government.
No more right to fire at will, without even a decent explanation.No more undermining the role of unions, who play a hugely positive role in keeping a workforce together and building safe healthy workplaces.No more taking away your right to strike; no more selling your precious Christmas holidays.
No more removing from the employers the obligations to settle, and wrecking the ability of unions to fight on your behalf. The employment relationship is not equal. It never has been; it never will be. That’s why we need policies and laws that are fair.Under my leadership Labour will have fair industrial relations laws starting with industry standard agreements. In the first 100 days of a Labour Government.
What do we want? National gone! When do we want it? Right now!But that’s not all John Key has done. He has given tax breaks to his big business mates and put up GST for the rest.
John Key and Paula Bennett climbed the ladder. He grew up in a state house, but now won’t let state houses be built in his electorate at Hobsonville. She used the training incentive allowance to get an education and then cancelled it for others. Labour people don’t pull the ladder up once they’ve climbed it.The Labour Government that I will lead will champion full employment. Our aim will be that every New Zealander who is ready, willing and able to work is either in a job or training for Offering Stream Carpet cleaning Services.
That would be a huge change from John Key’s New Zealand, where thousands of applicants lined up for 150 supermarket jobs at one location.But jobs, like money, do not grow on trees. To be credible and responsible as well as visionary, the Labour government I lead will have a solid programme of economic development.
That will be located within sound fiscal management. Labour will be trusted with the public purse and we will not run away with the chequebook. But we must move Government off the side-lines and into new partnerships with communities, regions and local government that will create economic and social value.
They are projects that already exist but don’t neatly fit into Treasury’s business plan, for how they pick projects to support.Like the Oakley to Marsden Point rail link, estimated at about $120 million, which is the kind of project that will create enormous value for the region but can’t get off first base.
Local government wanted it but didn’t have the money for it. Kiwirail wants it but can’t afford it. It doesn’t fit with the Key Government’s transport policies or the narrow way that they evaluate whether to invest. And private sector investors aren’t going to touch it till they can be sure they will be able to recover their costs.Provided we can ensure there is a proper nationwide port strategy, that vessels can navigate the bar, we should ensure the northern railway line is fit for purpose and not let National close it down. That will require some tunnel upgrades to future proof the line.
So a great project like the NorthPort rail link that fulfils Labour’s vision, and have all these regional and social benefits, doesn’t even get off the ground. What a waste!
I saw this in my own electorate with the New Lynn transport interchange. Treasury advised against it. Government Ministers shied away from it. Everyone said it wasn’t doable. But they were looking at it from such a narrow perspective and it took me and a whole lot of others to make sure the bigger economic development picture was included in the numbers.
We need to be bold. We need the Government to be build new partnerships with communities, regions and industries that will get our economy out of first gear and get New Zealanders into good jobs right here in the regions. Economic growth in Northland under Labour was one of the strongest of any province in the country.
The Northland economy has collapsed under National because they lack vision, they leak heart, and they lack imagination. Far too many of our young people are left on the scrap heap waiting for a Labour Government that will drive economic development in all our regions.
And it’s not just Northland. Projects like Eastern Bay of Plenty marine farming, the Christchurch rebuild and smart manufacturing clusters in the Waikato. All show the kind of potential when government, the regions and business work together to lift our game and create jobs.
We are all really different people but that one cause does bind us – and ultimately will be what binds us as a caucus. Because I know that our caucus, our party and the wider Labour movement are actually only after one thing from any of us – to leader Labour into victory in 2014.
When I was a kid my family did it tough at times. My Dad was a country vicar who didn’t earn much and he was seriously ill for part of my teenage years. But, you know what? It was still nowhere near as tough as some of you are doing right now thanks to the National GovernmentThat’s why I am standing here today. Because I know Labour’s values really matter if we are going to have a better future in this country.
I know Labour has the same hopes you do – A better future, with well-paid jobs - ones where you are respected and Best Carpet Cleaning Services - opportunities for our kids; a good state education; housing; free health care and a secure retirement.Those values are as true now as they ever were. And we need to make sure they are hardwired into the policies and decisions of government.
Sadly, that’s not happening right now. John Key and the National Government don’t have the same values the rest of us have.They don’t care about the rights of workers or how tough it is for hard working families to manage the high costs of petrol and power and food and rent.
I want to help the most vulnerable within the workforce. People like cleaners and other service workers, who get beaten down every time a cleaning contract changes hands. And in its latest appalling Employment Relations legislation, the National Government is taking away the last protections for vulnerable workers of so called ‘small employers’.They don’t care about the rights of workers or how tough it is for hard working families to manage the high costs of petrol and power and food and rent.
I want to help the most vulnerable within the workforce. People like cleaners and other service workers, who get beaten down every time a cleaning contract changes hands. And in its latest appalling Employment Relations legislation, the National Government is taking away the last protections for vulnerable workers of so called ‘small employers’.
It wants to give bosses the right to walk away from negotiations without settling. They even want to rob you of your smoko and lunch breaks!What do we want? National gone! When do we want it? Right now!Under a Labour Government that I lead, that legislative rubbish will be gone by lunchtime! That’s right. We will repeal the Employment Relations Amendment Bill and all the other draconian anti-worker laws within our first 100 days as Government.
No more right to fire at will, without even a decent explanation.No more undermining the role of unions, who play a hugely positive role in keeping a workforce together and building safe healthy workplaces.No more taking away your right to strike; no more selling your precious Christmas holidays.
No more removing from the employers the obligations to settle, and wrecking the ability of unions to fight on your behalf. The employment relationship is not equal. It never has been; it never will be. That’s why we need policies and laws that are fair.Under my leadership Labour will have fair industrial relations laws starting with industry standard agreements. In the first 100 days of a Labour Government.
What do we want? National gone! When do we want it? Right now!But that’s not all John Key has done. He has given tax breaks to his big business mates and put up GST for the rest.
John Key and Paula Bennett climbed the ladder. He grew up in a state house, but now won’t let state houses be built in his electorate at Hobsonville. She used the training incentive allowance to get an education and then cancelled it for others. Labour people don’t pull the ladder up once they’ve climbed it.The Labour Government that I will lead will champion full employment. Our aim will be that every New Zealander who is ready, willing and able to work is either in a job or training for Offering Stream Carpet cleaning Services.
That would be a huge change from John Key’s New Zealand, where thousands of applicants lined up for 150 supermarket jobs at one location.But jobs, like money, do not grow on trees. To be credible and responsible as well as visionary, the Labour government I lead will have a solid programme of economic development.
That will be located within sound fiscal management. Labour will be trusted with the public purse and we will not run away with the chequebook. But we must move Government off the side-lines and into new partnerships with communities, regions and local government that will create economic and social value.
They are projects that already exist but don’t neatly fit into Treasury’s business plan, for how they pick projects to support.Like the Oakley to Marsden Point rail link, estimated at about $120 million, which is the kind of project that will create enormous value for the region but can’t get off first base.
Local government wanted it but didn’t have the money for it. Kiwirail wants it but can’t afford it. It doesn’t fit with the Key Government’s transport policies or the narrow way that they evaluate whether to invest. And private sector investors aren’t going to touch it till they can be sure they will be able to recover their costs.Provided we can ensure there is a proper nationwide port strategy, that vessels can navigate the bar, we should ensure the northern railway line is fit for purpose and not let National close it down. That will require some tunnel upgrades to future proof the line.
So a great project like the NorthPort rail link that fulfils Labour’s vision, and have all these regional and social benefits, doesn’t even get off the ground. What a waste!
I saw this in my own electorate with the New Lynn transport interchange. Treasury advised against it. Government Ministers shied away from it. Everyone said it wasn’t doable. But they were looking at it from such a narrow perspective and it took me and a whole lot of others to make sure the bigger economic development picture was included in the numbers.
We need to be bold. We need the Government to be build new partnerships with communities, regions and industries that will get our economy out of first gear and get New Zealanders into good jobs right here in the regions. Economic growth in Northland under Labour was one of the strongest of any province in the country.
The Northland economy has collapsed under National because they lack vision, they leak heart, and they lack imagination. Far too many of our young people are left on the scrap heap waiting for a Labour Government that will drive economic development in all our regions.
And it’s not just Northland. Projects like Eastern Bay of Plenty marine farming, the Christchurch rebuild and smart manufacturing clusters in the Waikato. All show the kind of potential when government, the regions and business work together to lift our game and create jobs.
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