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Govt introduces new welfare bill

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Govt introduces new welfare bill

3News NZ

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced the changes earlier this month

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced the changes earlier this month

The Government has introduced a bill to change welfare rules so job seekers can be penalised if they fail drug tests and benefits can be stopped if people have outstanding arrest warrants.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced the changes earlier this month, saying too many beneficiaries were failing to get jobs because they weren't drug free, or were refusing to take drug tests.

Under the legislation their benefit can be cut if they keep on failing tests - unless they're addicted and need treatment.

The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill also carries a raft of changes announced earlier this year, which are phase two of the Government's welfare reform programme.

It includes simplified benefit categories, stronger work-seeking obligations and support for people who need training to get jobs or need childcare.

Three new benefit types will replace the seven current categories.

Benefit rates are not being changed.

NZN

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Comments

24/09/2012 4:47:34 p.m.

noway wrote:

""There was, of course, no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment... it was even conceivable that [the Thought Police] watched everybody all the time... They could plug in your wire whenever they wanted to. You had to live... in the assumption that... every movement was scrutinized." - George Orwell 1947, in 1984"

24/09/2012 8:12:57 a.m.

Lorri wrote:

It is NOT "Free Money" - not when you see the multiple hoops beneficiaries are made to jump through to get these benefits, the invasion of privacy, the expectation that you will get a job when employers dismiss you due to age, no, there is NOTHING 'free' about it. Now, politicans salaries, some of those are 'free money.'

23/09/2012 7:50:52 p.m.

Sam wrote:

Right, generalize benefits more, I fell through the cracks when I was on a benefit, they couldn't find the right one to suit my situation when left me in a mess and without any help while they pussyfooted around changing it every couple of weeks. I no longer need the benefit but I still remember what it was like back then nothing is worse then going into winz who are meant to help when your homeless, jobless, have no food and a kid on the way and being told you don't fit the criteria for any of our benefits, what's the point in winz when they are already failing those who need it and helping those content to stay living the bene-life. Generalization is not what beneficiaries need, versatility, opportunities and motivation is what they need.

21/09/2012 11:07:20 p.m.

reality is.... wrote:

I was advised by an honest, winz employee, my proposed job would provide 41 dolars extra a week, which would be spent on worke related costs actually, for the 20 hours per week, mon to fri, 3 hours each day, would see me receive secondary tax and the removal of the additional assistance, for the rent increase most renters in Chch are experiencing. And no, we cant leave, due to shared care of the youngest, while the father earns $1000 minimum per week, and pays $20 to the crown in child support.

18/09/2012 12:58:03 p.m.

@carlos wrote:

"'work-houses' could be introduced. They worked well in the past," So did Auschwitz, and don't forget the wording over the gate - it said "work makes you free". Great ideas from the past, eh Carlos.

18/09/2012 10:55:58 a.m.

Carlos wrote:

If you break the agreement, then you will not qualify for the 'free money'?! Giving people money for doing nothing is illogical, crazy and just wrong. There is plenty of work and things that need doing in all NZ communities ? As far as one parent mothers on the dole, perhaps 'work-houses' could be introduced. They worked well in the past, as did conscription to the armed forces. So there are plenty of solutions to all these 'idle hands' and 'lay-abouts'.

17/09/2012 6:43:17 p.m.

Storm wrote:

So what are the introducing to increase the numbers of jobs? Guess there will be jobs created to police the benificiaries but thats National Job creation policy. Will this new bill remove the discrimination based on age? Over 54yo cant get help re retraining as others can.

17/09/2012 6:07:54 p.m.

crazy wrote:

how about we dont pay for people hospital treatment when they go out and beat another perosn up and have to get stiches cause they hurt their hand, or go crash into another person cause there drunk... if you want to be taken seriously then it should apply to all types of drugs and not just "illegal" drugs...

17/09/2012 5:58:54 p.m.

pondering wrote:

Most heavy drug users I know work. The unemployed folk can't afford the habit.

17/09/2012 5:46:15 p.m.

David wrote:

Good idea. If you have geniune needs, then you have nothing to worry about.