Macindoe Tim: Social Assistance (New Work Tests Incentives and Obligations) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Macindoe Tim: Social Assistance (New Work Tests Incentives and Obligations) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West) 
: 
 There is absolutely no basis for the previous speaker Metiria Turei to come to that conclusion. In fact it is quite the opposite. This Government certainly does care. This Minister does care and it is because we do not want to condemn one more child in this country to the tyranny of low expectations which for far too long characterised the previous Government and those who supported it that we are determined to act. I wonder what Michael Joseph Savage and those who worked with him in the first Labour Government would think of the heirs to their legacy because it is very depressing to see just how far Labour has slipped away from what the social security system was first set up to do. This bill and this debate show the very clear division between Labour’s view and the vision of the National-led Government which says “Let’s help everyone we can out of that predicament. Let us do everything we can to encourage a much better outcome greater aspiration greater hope. Let us never never descend to the level where we say we will put this group of people in the too-hard basket we will not care about them and we will patronise them with a meagre lifestyle on welfare.” 
That sadly is what the Labour Opposition and those who support it are arguing for by opposing the provisions of this bill. Opposition speakers have gone all over the place on this bill so far in talking about what is not in it and they have failed to focus on what we are trying to do—that is getting young people particularly but all those people who are trapped on welfare into something that actually gives them the opportunity to take responsibility for themselves that gives them hope and that gives them a much brighter future. 
National is delivering on its promise upon which we were elected to reform the welfare system. We are committed to a system that supports people when they need it most. There is no question about that. Not one member on this side of the Chamber would shy away from that obligation but we also equally want to encourage people back into work as soon as they are able to work. That is exactly what Michael Joseph Savage and the first Labour Government instituted their social security system to do. That is what those members had in mind and it is the current Labour members who have moved far away from that. 
We have heard criticism of the Welfare Working Group which is looking at ways to address long-term welfare dependency. Yet for some extraordinary reason Labour members oppose that objective. I ask myself whether Labour members recognise third-generation and fourth-generation welfare dependency as a problem. Why do not members opposite want to do something about that issue? Why are they willing to sit back and do nothing? There is nothing more hopeless and nothing more depressing than the thought of being trapped in that intergenerational welfare dependency and feeling that politicians do not care to want to do something about it? That is not good enough for the people of New Zealand and it is certainly not good enough for those people this bill is designed to assist. 
Hon Steve Chadwick 
: 19000 more out of work in the last 3 months. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: Steve Chadwick continues to interject. When she was on her feet a while ago she said that this bill stigmatises people. But I tell her that no it does not; it gives them incentives and it gives them rewards. It recognises that securing a job is the best path to security and the best path to aspiration and self-esteem. 
Hon Parekura Horomia 
: Where are the jobs? 
TIM MACINDOE 
: There are jobs out there but I tell Mr Horomia that for those who cannot find work nothing will change. The welfare will still be there. That is what it should be there for. But the suggestion that we should not be trying to help even one person into a job when it is there and when that person can take responsibility is a shameful thing for that member to suggest. 
Hon Parekura Horomia 
: Shame on you! 
TIM MACINDOE 
: Far from that member sitting there calling out “Shame on you!” which Mr Horomia has done endlessly all afternoon I say shame on you Mr Horomia for not wanting to do more for your people. 
It was very disappointing to hear my colleague Dr Prasad criticise the thoughtful and very constructive contribution—I thought the very compassionate contribution—of my admirable colleague Chester Borrows a man for whom I have great admiration and respect. Dr Prasad suggested that this bill was punitive. It is not punitive to anyone who is incapable of securing work. There is nothing punitive about it because for anybody who is incapable of securing work nothing will change; the protection will still be there. It is not punitive to those who are capable of seeking work but who are genuinely struggling to gain employment. They too will continue to be assisted.