5. JILL PETTIS (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What steps is the Government taking to utilise Enhanced Taskforce Green to assist farmers affected by recent adverse weather?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
I am pleased to advise the House that the Government has approved up to $500,000 for Enhanced Taskforce Green support to assist farmers with clean-up activities required as a result of the South Island snow and the lower North Island storm and flood events. This programme is cleaning up, to date, over 100 properties. This includes 36 properties in the Mackenzie district, 20 in the Wairarapa, and 35, I believe, in Taranaki and Wanganui.
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Enhanced Taskforce Green is being used to pay for around 70 workers to undertake clean-up activities and get farms back to operational levels. Traditionally, unemployed people have been used for Enhanced Taskforce Green, but because we are experiencing record low unemployment, we are also able to support displaced farm workers by hiring them for this programme. The scheme also provides funds to hire or purchase light equipment and to assist each of the councils involved. I am informed by Brian Doughty, who is the Federated Farmers clean-up coordinator in the South Taranaki, Wanganui, Rangitīkei area that Work and Income is doing exceptionally well with regard to the roll-out of Enhanced Taskforce Green.
R Doug WoolertonHon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Enhanced Taskforce Green does not have any stand-down requirement, and because of the extra capacity, including the administrative capacity, we do have the opportunity to get people on to those farms immediately. That is what is happening.