12. Beneficiaries—Obligation to Take up Seasonal WorkHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of EmploymentBeneficiaries—Obligation to Take up Seasonal Work 12. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Employment: Does he stand by his joint press statement with the Minister for Social Development of 16 March 2018 which said Seasonal work can be a good option for many people looking to get back into work and for some could provide the type of work life and meaningful employment they are seeking"; if so what is his policy response to jobseekers who would rather stay on the dole than take up one of the 7000 fruit-picking job vacancies that are available?SPEAKER: OK I'm just going to ask the member to ignore the additional words that were in the question over and above what was here.Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment): Thank you Mr Speaker. In response to the first part of the question of course I stand by my statements. As for the second part the policy response for job seekers remains the responsibility of the Minister for Social Development.Hon Paula Bennett: Does he stand by his statement that "people have commitments" as reasons that unemployed New Zealanders cannot pick fruit and if so how many commitments does an individual need to not have to show up to work? Hon David Bennett: How many commitments have you got? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Of course I stand by—SPEAKER: Order! Order! David Bennett once again you have interjected involving me in the answer and what we're going to do is have you on an interjection ban for the rest of this question time and tomorrow. [Interruption] Order!Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Thank you Mr Speaker. Of course I stand by my statements in terms of people having commitments. The member fails to understand. This isn't about being tough; this is about being caring and compassionate for all those people who make up our communities. This is a Government that's been clear right from the start that we are a caring Government and we want to see people do well. As a former Minister for Social Development that member should know that. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask the Minister as to whether or not his department has given him reports that suggest New Zealanders cannot pick fruit because their hands are too big as was said by a former National Party Minister?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: No I haven't quite seen those reports yet but I'll wait for them to come over my desk.Hon Paula Bennett: Has he discussed this labour shortage with his colleague Shane Jones who said of unemployed people not in education or training that "They'll be made to go to work" and "there'll be no more sitting on the couch."?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I've had many wonderful conversations with Mr Jones. I think we've discussed that many times and sometimes we agree to disagree.Tamati Coffey: Why does the Minister believe that seasonal work can be "a good option for some"?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Kia ora. I believe the information collected by Work and Income indicates that for some seasonal work is a good option. For example we have seen many Kiwis placed into work in the Hawke's Bay for short durations. For others as I keep saying there are barriers that need to be considered such as travel childcare and health—all of which can make them unsuitable for short-duration placements.Hon Paula Bennett: Should unemployed ne'er-do-well nephs sitting on the couch in the Bay of Plenty the Hawke's Bay and Tasman be expected to pick fruit if they are physically able?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Again I suppose it depends on the circumstances: sometimes yes and sometimes no because they have family commitments and they can't just walk away from their family at the drop of a hat.Hon Paula Bennett: Does he agree with an RNZ report that some job seekers would rather stay on the dole than pick apples and does him constantly excusing people on the dole from working help?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Yes and no.Hon Paula Bennett: So what sanctions would he apply to job seekers who have tried picking fruit lasted only half a day and would rather remain jobless?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: In terms of sanctions I have no delegations as the Minister of Employment for sanctions. However currently Minister Sepuloni has a wide-ranging review of the welfare system and I fully support the review and the work that the Minister is currently doing.Hon Paula Bennett: So if unemployed New Zealanders in the Bay of Plenty the Hawke's Bay and Tasman with commitments are asked to work and don't show up does he believe the welfare system should sanction them?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Again as I said last week it's not black and white; it depends on the circumstances. Obviously there will be some who have to go through that process. The other side of that is that there are some real excuses why sometimes people can't travel like whānau—they can't just walk out on their kids—like no transport costs and like no accommodation costs. There are a lot of reasons but it is not just black and white as the member well knows.Hon Paula Bennett: Supplementary—SPEAKER: No that concludes oral questions."