10. H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) Link to this
to the Minister for Senior Citizens
What representations, if any, has he made to the Minister for Social Development and Employment on behalf of senior citizens on the future of the SuperGold card?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
The Minister has had no meetings with the Minister for Social Development and Employment on the subject, as the future of the card is not in question. She has assured the Minister that there are no immediate plans, no medium-term plans, and no long-term plans.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can the Minister, therefore, tell the House whether the Minister for Social Development and Employment indicated to him that the SuperGold card is safe only in the immediate future and that she is giving no guarantee of the long-term future of the card?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
The Minister is assured by the Minister for Social Development and Employment that there are immediate plans, no medium-term plans, and no long-term plans for cutting the SuperGold card.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Will he give a cast-iron guarantee that he will not allow the SuperGold benefits, or the card itself, to be replaced during this term of Parliament?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
In line with the Prime Minister’s statements that the Government will continue to fund the SuperGold card regardless of any increase in demand, and in line with a similar indication given by the Minister of Transport, Steven Joyce, there will be a commitment by the Government to this initiative. As Minister of Social Development and Employment, I can also give an assurance that there are no plans to replace it.
Jacqui DeanHon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Yes, the Minister has seen a report in the New Zealand Herald from 1991, where the member Mr Ross Robertson argued strongly in this House against the precursor of the SuperGold card, stating: “It is a passport to poverty.” Luckily, this Government does not agree with that view. [ Interruption]
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
I am older and wiser now! Has the Minister had any indication from the Minister for Social Development and Employment that she believes that the SuperGold card is “so last year”?