FIERY PROTEST | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua beneficiaries cheered as cardboard cut-outs of Social Development Minister Paula Bennett were burned in protest against her crackdown on those on benefits.

If introduced, the Future Focus Bill could see 7500 beneficiaries in Rotorua have their access to special payments cut.

The beneficiaries are worried the bill would see already struggling people going without as they wouldn't be entitled to as many emergency grants for items like food, power, rent advances and repairs on whiteware items.

The bill also proposes a requirement for domestic purposes beneficiaries to accept part-time work when their youngest child turns 6, or risk having their benefit halved.

About 70 local beneficiaries gathered outside Work and Income on Pukuatua St yesterday with placards reading "Stop Beneficiary Harassment", "Being a Mother is Work" and "Food prices go up, Benefits go down".

Rotorua beneficiary advocate Paul Blair read the Rotorua Welfare Action Group's expectations over his loud hailer which was greeted by cheers. He then handed a list of these to Ministry of Social Development Bay of Plenty regional commissioner Mike Bryant.

The peaceful but noisy protest drew attention along Pukuatua St as people came out of surrounding shops to see what was happening. Construction workers working on the former multiplex site yelled "get off the benefit, get a job". Passing motorists tooted in support - although others yelled colourful obscenities instead.

Excitement rose as the protest took to the streets and Mr Blair made their presence known with chants over his loud hailer such as "two, four, six, eight - don't smash the welfare state".

The crowd marched down Pukuatua St, turned into Tutanekai St, through the City Focus and up to Amohau St to Rotorua MP Todd McClay's office.

 There Mr Blair read out their demands before a small group went inside to have a discussion with him.

Meanwhile, the protesters gathered across the road and set cardboard cut-outs of Ms Bennett on fire.

Rotorua man Leonard Young was one of many protesters.

Mr Young, who supports a family of five, was not on a benefit, but he said he did need some financial assistance from time to time.

"When you need help [Work and Income is] the last resort before becoming a criminal," he said.

"They need to open their eyes and look beyond the rich people."

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