Story: Family welfare

Statements in the 1970s by the National government minister of social welfare, Bert Walker, about women abusing the domestic purposes benefit (DPB) sparked protests by women’s groups. These women in Wellington, like others throughout the country, contested Walker’s view of sole parents on the DPB as bludgers and highlighted the financial hardship of women trying to rear children on this benefit. The placard reads: 'I’d like to see Bert raise a baby on $48 a week.'