11. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Has she received any reports about the Government’s proposals to make significant changes to the welfare system?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
Last week the Prime Minister announced the formation of a special ministerial group to lead further work on the Welfare Working Group’s recommendations. This group will be concentrating on supporting those on welfare with training, education, health, and intensive case management to see positive changes for those who need us most.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Yes, I have seen a report, which I will quote from. It said: “Our reforms are founded on high expectations, that everyone who can work should work. I will fight the prejudice that says some people’s lot is drawing a fortnightly cheque, that we shouldn’t expect anything more of them and it doesn’t matter if they are forgotten by our policy makers and the society around them.” That statement was made by Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard earlier this year.
Jacinda ArdernDoes she agree that the best means of reducing benefit numbers is to provide employment opportunities; if so, does she still believe the Government does not have a role in job creation, as she stated in this House in February of this year?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Yes, and that is why I was so surprised during the years 2000 to 2008 that the number on the sickness benefit doubled, that we saw the number on the invalids benefit go up by 50 percent, and that we saw those people just left on the scrap heap and not making the most of the supposed great economic times there were then.
Mr SPEAKER