7. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What reports has she received on changes to rates for benefits and superannuation that took effect from 1 April?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
From today rates for New Zealand superannuation, veterans pension, and benefits will be increased by just over 3 percent. This reflects our Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable families and communities—a sharp contrast to the policies of the National Party, which have been to slash benefits, leaving superannuitants, students, and families struggling to cope.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
What other reports has she seen regarding regular adjustments to benefits?
On television on Sunday, the leader of the National Party was asked whether he supported annual adjustments to benefits. He said: “We’re looking at those policies. I mean, at the moment, ah, some of them already have built-in clauses, others don’t. We’ll be reviewing those in due course.” To be honest it is hard to understand what that really means. Not adjusting benefits and superannuation means cutting support for older New Zealanders and vulnerable families. Mr Key either has a—
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. New Zealand First is very interested in this answer. That is why we would like to have the noise behind us on our right reduced severely so that we can hear it. There is a chorus up there led by “Blue Chip Bob”, and we cannot hear a thing over here, at all.
Madam SPEAKERWould the Minister please complete her answer, and would members please keep their contributions lower.
On television on Sunday, the leader of the National Party was asked whether he supported annual adjustments to benefits, and he said: “We are looking at those policies. I mean, at the moment, ah, some of them already have built-in clauses, others don’t. We’ll be reviewing those in due course.” Not adjusting benefits and superannuation means cutting support for older New Zealanders and vulnerable families. Mr Key either has a very worrying policy under development or has been caught again making up something to say when he does not know the answer to the question.
Hon Bill EnglishI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I was concerned that you allowed to stand the way in which the member Winston Peters addressed another member of the House. You will be as aware as anybody that members must be addressed correctly in the House.
Yes. I have noticed that from time to time members do not address other members correctly, so I ask them to do so in the future and to observe the Standing Orders.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am prepared to understand and take on board Mr English’s point, but when one runs a whole stadium around that name and is prepared to go to a court of law on the matter and defend one’s right to take mates’ rates for it, along with Blue Chip Australia, one has to be aware of what the consequences are.
In this House there are rules, and those rules state that the way in which members are referred to is with respect. Those rules will be observed in this House.
Ron MarkI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. You quite rightly just pointed out that in this House there are rules. Regardless of what the point of order was about or the content of it, the rules are that the House should remain silent throughout that point of order. There was a chorus and an eruption from the front bench of the National Party, and I ask that you remind those people that they should be silent during a point of order.
Yes, but I also note that in the making of that point of order, peripheral matters were raised that were somewhat provocative. So I would suggest to members that when they raise their points of order, they do so succinctly and keep to the point of principle.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
How do changes to New Zealand superannuation compare with the average wage?
The newly adjusted rate of New Zealand superannuation for a married couple is 66.23 percent of the average weekly wage. About 510,000 older New Zealanders will benefit from these increases. This contrasts with the National Party’s previous policy, which was to freeze superannuation in real terms. Under National’s policy superannuation would have fallen to 61 percent of the average wage this year—$34 a week less for a married couple. Now it seems that the National Party’s intention might be to stop annual inflation adjustments entirely. That would have a dramatic negative impact on older New Zealanders, many of whom are reliant on superannuation.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
What effect will there be on those people who are now beneficiaries as a consequence of their losing all their money because of the nefarious and scurrilous and illegal activities of an operation called Blue Chip New Zealand?
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
All the Minister has to do is talk about what beneficiaries are on, and what they will be on by way of an increase today. That is the connection.
Thank you. The member has explained his question. He is relating it to beneficiaries who invested in Blue Chip. The Minister should confine her answer to that.