Collins Judith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Collins Judith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:635;Page:6295] 
7.  
JUDITH COLLINS (National—Clevedon) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development and Employment 
: Does he stand by all of his comments made in relation to the welfare changes announced on 26 October 2006? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 Yes. 
Judith Collins 
: How does the Minister reconcile the following statement he made in relation to sickness and invalids beneficiaries: “There are no losers under these changes and this is entirely voluntary.” with a statement he made the very next day: “If they’re not prepared to undertake work that’s offered they can’t reasonably expect to continue to get financial support at that same level.”? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: Easily. 
Georgina Beyer 
: How have these reforms assisted sickness and invalids beneficiary clients into work? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: A very good example is Mr Quinn of Wellington who was on an invalids benefit with a permanent and worsening mobility disability when the new service approach was introduced. Pat indicated to his case manager that he was keen to return to work and with the support of Work and Income and his own determination he is now in employment. Mr Quinn tells us that working again gives him the ability to feel he is making a worthwhile contribution to the community. 
Judith Collins 
: Which is it: are sickness and invalids beneficiaries going to be penalised for not undertaking work requirements or not? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: No. 
Chester Borrows 
: Why is the single core benefit which has been promised since 1989 not due until 2011—22 years after it became Labour Party policy? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: The member sadly has a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of these benefit changes if he thinks that merely changing the name of benefits can assist clients. The Working New Zealand project is about changes to the services and support provided to people who wish to return eventually to the workforce on a full-time or part-time basis irrespective of the label that any benefit system might place on them. 
Judith Collins 
: If the Minister said as I think he just said that sickness and invalids beneficiaries will not be penalised for not undertaking work requirements why then on 27 October the next day did he say that they would be penalised—why did he change his tune overnight? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: I refer the member to the extremely detailed information on the website. If she were to take the trouble to read the background information she would not be displaying such a ridiculous level of confusion. 
Judith Collins 
: I seek leave of the House to table a transcript of a Radio New Zealand  
Checkpoint 
 interview with the Minister on 26 October 2006 where he said that there were no losers under his scheme. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Judith Collins 
: I seek leave of the House to table a transcript of a Radio New Zealand  
Nine to Noon 
 interview with the Minister on 27 October the next day where he said that they would be penalised. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection.