9. GEORGINA BEYER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What reports has he received on the Government’s progress on moving New Zealanders off benefits and into work?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
The latest quarterly benefit statistics show that in the year ended March 2006 the number of working-age New Zealanders on benefits dropped by a further 8,374, or 2.9 percent. That is a drop of around 118,000, or nearly 30 percent fewer New Zealanders receiving a benefit since this Government came into office.
What reports has the Minister seen about the level of understanding of these changes in respect of the headline or net benefit numbers?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I have seen a report of a person giving a thoroughly inaccurate account to a conference in Auckland when, despite the headline benefit numbers showing that there are almost 118,000, or one-third, fewer beneficiaries under Labour than previously, that person claimed nothing had changed. That person was, of course, National’s welfare spokesperson, Judith Collins. She clearly also had not wanted to remember that in the 1990s the number of people receiving the sickness benefit and the invalids benefit grew at a rate of 69 and 84 percent respectively.
What reports has he seen specifically about the numbers of people receiving the unemployment benefit?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
The rate of unemployment has dropped by more than 72 percent under Labour. In 1999 there were 161,000 New Zealanders in receipt of the unemployment benefit. The latest quarterly figures show that that figure is now just over 44,500. The last time unemployment was as low as that was in the mid-1980s. Consequently, over 56,500 fewer children are living in benefit-dependent households since Labour came to office, which is a reduction of 20 percent.
Dr Pita SharplesKua wānangahia e te Kāwana te wāriu o āna kaupapa whakaiti mātua i runga i ngā mahi uruhina kia haere ngā mātua kei runga penihana ki te mahi mō te moni; mēnā kāhore, he aha ai?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[Has the Government assessed the long-term impact of its policy to devalue the vital role of parenting by forcing beneficiary parents into paid work; if not, why not?]
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
There is no forcing of anyone into work under this Government. But I would comment, in terms of Māori unemployment, that the number receiving a benefit dropped from around 44,500 in 1999 to 15,800 in the year ended March 2006. That is a drop of 28,546, or 64 percent, and it is rather a good indication of, and testimony to, the focus of this Government on work for all New Zealanders.
What is the Government’s view of the establishment of a 24-hour hotel for children of working parents; does that type of facility form part of the Government’s vision for our society, and is that the logical outcome of its policy of forcing beneficiary parents into paid work?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I have no ministerial responsibility for that private initiative.
Judith CollinsI seek leave of the House to table my truly excellent speech to the conference of the northern region of the National Party a week ago, so that all members of the House can have the benefit of a speech on welfare, which is something we are still waiting for that Minister to give.
Madam SPEAKER