12. PAULA BENNETT (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Are grandparents raising their grandchildren going to be given the same assistance that foster parents receive; if not, why not?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
The 2005 Labour manifesto made the commitment that we would “Extend the support provided for grandparents raising grandchildren and other carers on a pension, in particular those taking on caring due to family breakdown, to provide them with the sort of allowances provided to foster parents”. We remain committed to that policy, and work is under way to deliver it.
Gordon CopelandCan the Minister confirm that United Future’s Judy Turner has had sustained involvement in this issue by working with the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust’s Diane Vivian, and lobbying the Government to achieve an equitable result for kin caregivers?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Although I cannot comment on the work that United Future might have done with the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust outside Parliament, I can confirm Judy Turner’s longstanding involvement in caregiver issues. In particular, I am grateful to that member for her insights into the issues faced by this group, and for the contribution she has made to the work that the Ministry of Social Development is doing on the issue. I commend Mrs Turner’s work and I hope that future work relating to the financial assistance of kin caregivers will continue to involve United Future.
Barbara StewartDoes he acknowledge that learning, behavioural, and significant health problems are common among the children being raised by their grandparents; if so, why are they not eligible for the assistance given to children being raised by unrelated foster parents?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
It is exactly for that reason that we have this policy and are intent on delivering on it.
If it is not the Government’s intention to asset test grandparents raising their grandchildren, why did Lianne Dalziel, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, announce at the recent National Council of Women of New Zealand conference that grandparents would be asset tested?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I am aware of that report, and I am advised that the Minister did not make the comment that has been attributed to her.
Is the Minister aware of the barriers faced by elderly New Zealanders in finding employment; if so, why does the Government consider that grandparents deserve $3,000 less annually than foster parents, who are less likely to face the same barriers to employment?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I can assure that member that Work and Income will continue to work effectively with all New Zealanders who seek work.
Why would a Minister in this Government make a statement about grandparents being asset tested when foster parents are not, when it costs the same amount to raise a 5-year-old whether or not one is related to the child?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
The statement I made was quite clear. I am advised that the Minister did not make the statement that has been attributed to her.
Why has this Government made so little progress in assisting grandparent carers, and why has the much talked about policy development with United Future still not been completed; or does the Minister think those children would be better off under the care of Child, Youth and Family?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
This is an extraordinarily complex issue, and it goes right to the root of caring and family responsibilities. There are no simple answers, but I must say that I see no similar policy on the National Party books.
Hon Lianne Dalziel Link to this
I wish to make a personal explanation in relation to the allegations that have been made. I attended the National Council of Women conference earlier on this year. I was asked a question in respect of the issue of grandparents raising grandchildren. I responded to the question, and in my comments made the point that people were eligible for the Working for Families package, which was means-tested—which is true. Unfortunately, the National Council of Women, through a misunderstanding, has reported that comment as my saying that work was being done on an asset test. That is incorrect. I have raised the issue with the National Council of Women.
I seek the leave of the House to table the November circular of the National Council of Women.
Madam SPEAKER