Reinventing the Welfare State

The Centre for Independent Studies has a public lecture on “Reinventing the welfare state” on Wednesday 28 March at Turnbull House, from 6 pm to 7.15 pm.

CIS Social Research Director Peter Saunders will be giving the lecture, and Sir Roger Douglas also making some comments.

Peter will be looking at how government spending has increased by $20 billion since 2000, with most of this going “on a welfare state that has become increasingly bloated, expensive and ineffective”.

This is because welfare has changed from a safety net to middle class welfare which provides cash and services for the great mass of the population, rich and poor alike, and of course in many cases the same people who get the benefits also pay for them through their taxes.

Peter will be proposing a system where people can opt out of the welfare state, in exchange for lower tax payments. This won’t reduce money for welfare to those who need it, but stop the churning of money from taxpayer to the state back to the same taxpayer as a welfare recepient. The only people who win with this churning are the extra staff IRD has to employ!

Sounds a great concept to me, and I’ll definitely be there. People can register here or just call 04 499 5861.