1. Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
How many beneficiaries are living “the dream” on a benefit?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
I did not say people were living the dream on a benefit. I said, and I directly quote: “If someone genuinely can’t find work in 12 months, they’ll be able to demonstrate their job search when they reapply. If a real, demonstrable effort has been made, their benefit will be reinstated. If not, well I’m afraid the dream is over.”
Does she stand by her statement about having been on the receiving end of the domestic purposes benefit and knowing what it is like to live and struggle day to day; if so, why was it a struggle for her with all the assistance available at that time, but in her view a dream for an undisclosed number of beneficiaries now?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
I reiterate that I have not said that it is a dream for those who are struggling. Let us make it clear. What I did say yesterday is that it is not easy to put one’s head up and juggle a family, and juggle those sorts of educational requirements, to get oneself into a job, but I back people that they can. I know that the member herself said on the radio this morning that she worked full-time as a sole mother, so she is a classic example of people who can do it.
If the objective of the changes she is introducing is to create a fairer benefit system, as she has claimed, why are 5,896 women in receipt of the widows benefit, many of whom are caring for dependent children, not required to face a part-time work test?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
It is interesting that it is Labour’s policy to work-test those on the widows benefit, but it is not the—
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I asked a very specific question. I did not talk about Labour’s policy; I talked about the Minister’s policy.
Mr SPEAKERA point of order has been raised and there should be no interjections. I will just remind members of that at this stage. The member raises a fair point—that the Minister should not allege in answering that something is the Labour Party’s policy, because she has no right to allege that. I ask the Minister to answer the question.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
We will not be work-testing those on the widows benefit, but the implication is that members on the other side would be.
Hekia ParataTēnā koe, e te Mana Whakawā. Why is it so important to take action now to reduce welfare dependency?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
The cost of doing nothing is enormous, both financially and socially. With demographic changes looming, the rising tide of welfare dependency threatens to mortgage our children’s and grandchildren’s futures, and we will not sit back and let that happen.
Did the Attorney-General tell her and the Prime Minister, before yesterday’s announcement, that the legislation she tabled discriminates on three prohibited grounds under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act—namely, sex, marital status, and family status—and, in the words of the Attorney-General, the different treatment of people “does not create a fairer benefit system or encourage beneficiaries to enter or return to employment”; if so, why did she ignore his advice?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Yes, I certainly did have a conversation with the Attorney-General on where he was sitting on this with regard to the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, and certainly we could see that at some level he felt there was discrimination. But, as I said, members on this side of the House have made the decision that we will not be work testing those on the widows benefit or on the woman-alone payment. I stand by that. We will be working with those who are on the domestic purposes benefit with children and who are working part-time, helping them to get ahead under their own steam. I am incredibly proud of this move and I think it is going in the right direction. I think that it is a discrimination that most New Zealanders will see as being fair and reasonable.
Rahui KateneWould she agree that over 3,000 young people involved in Community Max, being meaningfully engaged in a real-life working environment with the support of the community, have indeed been living the dream; and what action is she taking to ensure that 3,000 graduates are supported to take up further training and employment opportunities post - Community Max?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Yes, Community Max has been a great success. Everywhere I go I hear such positive stories about where that is at. One of the examples I recently heard of was with Tamaki Ki Raro Trust, based in South Auckland. All of the 16 young people whom it has taken on have gone into work, so they have all gone into a job. Others are going into training. Work and Income is working very closely with them to make sure that there is a transition once they come out of Community Max.
Why did she and the Prime Minister cover up this scathing report from the Attorney-General, which they must have had yesterday when they released their announcements, but did not give to the House until 2 o’clock today?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
I am not responsible for when the Attorney-General puts his papers before the House, but I have faced criticism from members on that side before when our legislation has not been tabled in time, and this was very technical legislation relating to the Social Security Act, so I wanted to make sure that members on the other side of the House had enough time to get into the detail of it, so that they could stand up and be the Opposition for once instead of sitting back and leaving a whole lot of people on welfare wondering.
In light of that answer, did the Attorney-General raise the concerns he had as long ago as the Cabinet policy committee, or Cabinet itself; if so, why did she and the Prime Minister fail to act on his advice or to disclose it to the public until today?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
As I previously said, yes, I have had conversations with the Attorney-General on this matter. I find it absolutely incredible that members on the other side of the House are standing up and saying that we should be work testing those on the widows benefit and those on the woman-alone benefit. We are proudly standing up and saying that we will see the right obligations and incentives for New Zealanders to get ahead and take responsibility for themselves. I will stand by that every time, and I think New Zealanders see that as very fair.