9. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Does she consider bringing up babies to be meaningful, productive work; if so, why is she considering making young mothers on the domestic purposes benefit seek paid employment when their youngest child turns one?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
Yes to the first part; to the second part, the Government is looking at a number of recommendations from the Welfare Working Group, one of which is how to work with the one in four women who have another child while on the benefit.
Catherine Delahunty Link to this
Will a mother fail a work test if she refuses to accept a minimum wage job that does not pay enough to cover her childcare costs?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
That is a hypothetical situation. The member is talking about changes that might be made in the future, and I cannot comment.
Catherine Delahunty Link to this
How will she ensure that young mothers forced into jobs with inflexible hours and conditions are still able to breastfeed their babies, or does she expect them to stop?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
As I said, there are a number of recommendations that the Government is currently looking at. She is giving scenarios that are not currently part of this Government’s policy.
Catherine Delahunty Link to this
Does she agree that training and upskilling, including studying at university, is a proven and successful path for young mothers to get off the domestic purposes benefit and into high-paying work; if so, why did she kick out the ladder behind herself and axe the training incentive allowance for degree-level courses?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
I believe there are many pathways for many different mothers. That pathway is still there for them, and we are seeing many successes for many of them.
Hon Annette KingHas she requested that those working at the convenient care clinics consider administering contraception to women on the domestic purposes benefit?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
I speak to a number of people up and down this country. I speak to them about contraception issues and how we can help those women to have better choices in their lives. I am sure I have spoken to the Rotorua convenient care centre that I think the member is talking about contraception issues quite often.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
What guarantee can she give that no child between the ages of 1 and 5 will be abused while being cared for by a boyfriend when the mother has been forced out to work and she cannot afford to pay childcare costs?
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. If it had been a ridiculous question, you would have ruled it out.
Mr SPEAKERThe question was hypothetical, but I think it should not be answered by saying it is a ridiculous question. I invite the Minister to answer it in a rather more parliamentary manner than that. The question was hypothetical; I fully accept that. The Minister may not have liked the question, but I do not think it is appropriate to tell a questioner that the question is ridiculous if it is in order.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Notwithstanding the fact that you have just, I think, supported my point of order, I was asking for a guarantee. It was not a hypothetical question.
The member knows that what he was asking for there is something that cannot be sought in this House for something that is not even in place. There is no way that Ministers can give such guarantees, but I think a more respectful answer is required.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
At the moment 68 percent of partnered women work while their children are in care, and 50 percent of sole parents currently work with their children in care. They are cared for by a number of different people, and I give no guarantees about what happens with regard to those children, either.