Nats’ Welfare reform: Why wait two years?

“National’s welfare policy goes a short distance in the right direction. Yes, there need to be consequences, but if languishing on the dole is bad, why wait two years for consequences?” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“This policy shows the net future Government needs more ACT to go further and faster in the right direction on welfare reform.

“Of course drug testing should be essential to getting a benefit. Someone is not work ready if they’re stoned. Why should people get up early and go to work to pay for other people’s drugs.

“Where are the successful societies in the world whose Government pay people to stay home and abuse drugs? Work ready should already mean drug testing, because there aren’t many jobs you can do well while stoned.

“The benefit reductions are another example of too slow in the right direction. Two years in a benefit is too long. ACT’s plan, already released, would put Jobseekers on a plastic card for essentials only after four months.

“It’s good to test beneficiaries for drugs, but what’s better is not giving them cash to buy drugs in the first place.

“Electronic money management system delivers the benefit through an electronic payment card directed to essentials such as groceries, rent, power, transport, health and childcare. The card will block spending on alcohol, gambling, tobacco, and cash withdrawals.

“The electronic money management means taxpayer support will not fund purchases that make it harder for people to get their lives back on track. If someone is receiving a benefit funded by working New Zealanders, it should go towards essentials.

“Unlocking New Zealand’s potential means unlocking the potential of New Zealanders. That starts with a welfare system that backs people to move forward, rewards effort, protects taxpayers, and refuses to write people off."