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Kōrero: Family welfare

Bert Walker on solo mums

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Bert Walker on solo mums

This cartoon by Tom Scott appeared in feminist magazine Broadsheetin May 1977. The target was Bert Walker, the minister of social welfare, whose balding head has attracted a pair of darts. The cartoon was prompted by the minister's statement that a women should not receive the DPB if they had male lovers, and that these men should be financially responsible for the women and their children. Neighbours were encouraged to report regular visits by male friends to the Department of Social Welfare and benefits were withdrawn from over 500 sole parents.

Courtesy of Broadsheet

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Tom Scott

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Maureen Baker rāua ko Rosemary Du Plessis, Family welfare – Debating state responsibility, 1970s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/cartoon/26088/bert-walker-on-solo-mums (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Maureen Baker rāua ko Rosemary Du Plessis, i tāngia i te 31 March 2011.