8. METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
How many people exactly does he think need “a kick in the pants” from the welfare system?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
As he said yesterday, this Government believes in a welfare system that supports people when they are most in need, encourages them to get back to work, and occasionally gives them a kick in the pants when they are not taking responsibility for themselves, their families, and other taxpayers. Therefore, only those who fail to meet their obligation to try to find work will need a kick in the pants.
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This is a very specific question that asks for a very specific number. The question has been set down for some hours now, and I would expect the Prime Minister to address the question directly. That has not been done.
Mr SPEAKERIf the member looks carefully at her question, she will see that she asks “How many people exactly does he think …”. There is no specific answer to a question like that. Members putting down primary questions need to be mindful of that if they want precise answers.
Is the Prime Minister telling the House—given the failure to provide the answer requested, which was the number of people—that he has introduced major changes to the benefit system to punish more beneficiaries without assessing exactly how many people are actually being targeted by this policy?
I think it is quite clear that people who fail to meet their obligations to try to find work will be the people to whom these sanctions apply. The purpose of this policy is to give folks a nudge towards making themselves available for work. As the member knows, the longer that people are out of work, the harder it often is for them to get back into it.
I think New Zealanders and this Parliament know full well whom we are seeking to support. It is not good for people to be long-term unemployed. It is good for the Government to do everything it can to encourage those people into work and to provide them with the support and encouragement they need.
How will his Government apply sanctions to people who need a “kick in the pants” without also delivering a “kick in the pants” to the children who rely on those people for their very well-being?
A benefit will be cut only if someone fails to meet his or her obligations to look for work. That means doing things like attending interviews when they arise, and making oneself available to take a job if it is the right one. All that people need to do to get back their full benefit is to meet those obligations. Parents have responsibilities to their children, and part of their responsibility is to make sure that they meet the expectations around their receiving income support.
Do the children of parents on the unemployment benefit deserve a “kick in the pants” if their parents are unable to find work in an increasingly competitive market in a recession?
Nothing will happen to people’s benefits if they are unable to get a job. The purpose of this policy is to say that it is not good for people to be long-term unemployed. New Zealanders know the consequences of it for people. Under the Government led by Annette King and Phil Goff during the 1980s, the number of New Zealanders who languished in the long-term unemployed category increased massively. That was bad for our society.
Do children with disabilities and with serious illnesses deserve a “kick in the pants” if their parents are forced out to work instead of staying home to care for them?
It is very clear what this policy is about. It is about saying to New Zealanders that we think being in work has value and importance, and that those who are long-term unemployed or who are in need of encouragement to get into work should get that encouragement, because being in work is good for people.
Is it not the truth that the Prime Minister made his abusive comment just because he wants to join with his National Party colleagues in putting the boot into our most vulnerable families?
No, that is just absolute nonsense. This Government and this Prime Minister want to help New Zealanders to get ahead. Part of that is saying to people that it is not good for them to be long-term unemployed. We want to put in place policies and supports that encourage those people into work when it is available for them, because that will be good for them, good for their children, and good for New Zealand.