9. JUDITH COLLINS (National—Clevedon) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Is she satisfied with Work and Income’s approach to individual case management; if so, why?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
I believe that more can be done to ensure that every person receives the support and services that meet their individual circumstances. That is why I have announced even further steps towards the core benefit to modernise the benefit system.
Is the Minister satisfied with how Work and Income behaved towards cancer sufferer Richard Burr, as detailed by her ministry in evidence before the Social Services Committee?
It is my understanding that the areas where there were shortcomings in addressing Mr Burr’s needs were made clear to the select committee and that the ministry took responsibility for those shortcomings.
Lynne PillayI have seen an extraordinary report advocating the return to the failed policies of the 1990s—punitive work testing of sole parents and of sickness and invalid beneficiaries—and I have seen a response that says “This policy does more to stroke the shibboleths of party supporters than meet any pressing social need.”
Does the Minister accept the evidence of Mr Burr’s widow that Work and Income staff “were insensitive to their situation, displayed a lack of empathy, were poor communicators, and gave inconsistent advice.”; and why did Work and Income not send a case manager to Mr Burr in hospital rather than summoning him out of his hospital bed to attend a Work and Income office? This was a terminally ill cancer patient.
I certainly accept Mrs Burr’s perception of how she was treated by Work and Income, and my understanding is that the shortcomings in the service delivery have been acknowledged by Work and Income to the select committee the member sits on. My understanding is that Work and Income has made efforts to ensure that that does not happen again. I dispute the assertion that the member makes that, knowing that Mr Burr was terminally ill and in hospital, Work and Income staff required him to attend a Work and Income office. I dispute that assertion.
Since the Minister now wants to talk about Mrs Burr’s perception, does she now accept the findings of the Social Services Committee, tabled today in this Parliament, that Mr Burr’s treatment is not an isolated case, and that the issues raised by Mr Burr’s widow and by others are serious and need addressing; if so, what after 9 long years is she going to do about it?