2. Benefits—SanctionsRt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterBenefits—Sanctions2. Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her statements?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): In the context in which they were given yes.Rt Hon Bill English: Does she stand by her statement in regards to her Ready for Work scheme or Work for the Dole scheme that Our view was that you couldn't compel people to take up a job."Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: When I was discussing the way that we would roll out this programme we were acknowledging that there's a range of ways in which we could encourage the uptake of the opportunity for employment. I have also acknowledged that sanctions have long been a part of our benefit system and that won't change. Ultimately though this is a Government focused on getting young people into work.Rt Hon Bill English: Does she agree with the statement of her Minister for Regional Economic Development in regards to the Ready for Work scheme that "They'll be made to go to work. … there will be no more sitting on the couch."?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I've said sanctions have long been a part of our welfare system and that won't change.Rt Hon Bill English: Does she therefore agree with her parliamentary under-secretary Jan Logie who said: "Benefit sanctions punish families who are already struggling to get by. … These are not the actions of a decent and compassionate government—benefit sanctions are punitive and cruel and it's going to take a change of government to get rid of them. … The Green Party in government … will immediately end … sanctions."Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Prime Minister has no responsibility for Green Party policy or statements made by someone who was not an under-secretary at the time.Rt Hon Bill English: Does she agree with the statements made by members of the Green Party in support of the Government that they oppose sanctions on benefits and intend to roll back those that exist?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I absolutely stand by the Labour Party's confidence and supply agreement with the Green Party which says that we will look at the excessive use of sanctions within the welfare system. I have to say the excessive use of sanctions ballooned under that last Government because rather than focusing on providing employment opportunities like this Government that's what they resorted to.Rt Hon Bill English: Can the Prime Minister now outline Government policy on sanctions as they may apply to young people who have been on the unemployment benefit?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I have already given a general statement that sanctions have long been a part of our welfare system but details around the way our particular policy around getting young people into work will go to Cabinet and decisions will be made collectively. But what I am happy to say is that unlike the last Government we are not willing to allow more than 70000 young people not in employment education or training to have their lives wasted.Rt Hon Bill English: If a young person who may be eligible for a scheme of this nature refuses to participate or attends for a day or two and then refuses to attend will the Government apply sanctions to them?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I've given the general principles that we'll be working to but final decisions of the programme will go to Cabinet. But again this Government is entirely united behind the idea that young people deserve opportunities and under this Government they'll get them.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Prime Minister whether it's her Government's attitude that the wealth of a country is in its working people and whether it would be refreshing if some people instead of looking a gift-horse in the mouth decided to put a saddle on its back and be grateful?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: This is a Government that is focused on providing employment opportunities and that's exactly what our Minister for Regional Economic Development has been speaking to. Unlike the last Government who labelled young people "pretty damn hopeless" we'll get them into jobs."