Bennett Paula: Social Assistance (New Work Tests Incentives and Obligations) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Bennett Paula: Social Assistance (New Work Tests Incentives and Obligations) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:665;Page:13129] 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 I stand in response to some of the rather emotive debate that has gone on around this bill so far. First I say that 28000 people on the benefit will be better off because of this bill pretty much immediately and that is because of the abatement increase from $80 to $100 per week that they can earn. This is a very good day for those people in that they will be recognised for the work they do and they are able to get more of that money in their own pocket and see it as the opportunity that it is. 
This is a bill that recognises fairness that brings equity back into the system and that steps up in support of those people who quite frankly deserve our support and need it most. The bill injects a whole lot around them and gives them the opportunity to take up the training opportunities they need and it provides support around them so that they have the opportunity to look for work. I think it will put the right incentives in place and with that the right sorts of obligations. 
There are exemptions in relation to those things and I heard through the Social Services Committee that there were concerns about those people who perhaps had recently left a relationship and were going through some of the emotional trauma that that can cause. There is an exemption to enable those people to take time and to recognise what that means. There is an exemption in recognition of those who have perhaps come from a violent background and need time to bed in with their children. There are exemptions for those who have children with special needs who perhaps need their parents a bit more. So there are exemptions there for them. 
There is also a clear understanding of what suitable work means. The bill recognises that childcare is needed for those children and that what is needed is the opportunity for people to have work that fits in with the hours that they need that they are able to get to the jobs as they come up and that they have the sort of lines they need so that they can get to them. It is very important that they have that. 
I heard members opposite asking what the definition of suitable work is. Let me give it to them to clear that up. It is that there is an availability of childcare; that it is not employment with excessive hours; that their case managers recognise family commitments and religious commitments which are important for some of those people; and that they are not jobs that offend strongly held views. There are regulations around that as well. The days of the week the type of employment and the skills and experience required are all important justifications to make sure that that job suits the individual. I suppose that is what I wanted to say. 
The thing I will also add here is that there are no penalties for not getting work. I will repeat that one more time because it is really important: there are no penalties whatsoever for not getting work. The only penalties there are for people who are not actually trying. So we are asking people to get themselves work-ready—to be going out and looking for work and to be actively looking to support themselves and their own. Among those on the sickness benefit 9000 currently have a box ticked by their doctors that says they could work part-time; we are asking them to look for work. We believe that it will help them with their wellness. 
Hon Annette King 
: So where are the jobs? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: Let me repeat just one more time for that member: there is no penalty for not getting work. I cannot repeat that often enough. I know that it is hard to understand but this is about fairness. You will not get work unless you actually step up and go looking for it. Unless you get yourselves ready you will not be in a position to get jobs. Yes it is not always easy; yes we absolutely recognise that these are tough times. 
I would argue quite strongly that it is not the Government that is stigmatising beneficiaries. Our members believe in getting more for them and we believe in the value they bring to both themselves and their families as well as to the workplace and the people around them. They have something to offer and it is more than having a lifetime on welfare that they then pass on to the next generation. I know that this sounds hard to understand and that the Opposition rallies against it but we will support these people to step up look for those jobs and find those sorts of opportunities in order to break the cycle of dependence that we know wears down families and sees some incredibly tough times for them and their children. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: Just before I take the next speaker I say that the presiding officer should not be brought into the debate. The Chair does not need to step up.