Little Andrew: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLittle Andrew: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 14 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7197. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in the Minister for Social Development?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): The Minister amongst other things is taking legislation through the House to raise benefits in real terms for the first time in 43 years. She is overseeing a major overhaul of Child Youth and Family to ensure it delivers the best results for vulnerable children and under her watch the number of sole parents on a benefit is now the lowest since 1988 and 42000 fewer children are living in benefit-dependent households compared with only 3 years ago. So yes I have every confidence in the Minister for Social Development.Andrew Little: How does he think someone with cancer feels when they are repeatedly asked what they are doing to find work and repeatedly have to pay for medical certificates to get the benefit they are entitled to?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly we recognise that people with conditions like cancer are going through very difficult times and often cannot work which is why they are able to go on a benefit. It has always been the case that a medical certificate has been required and in fact earlier this year actually we made it more straightforward for medical staff—doctors—to lodge directly electronic medical certificates with Work and Income.Andrew Little: Does he agree with the Minister that the Government cannot give cancer patients special treatment because there would be “other groups of people that would come forward and say ‘we need special consideration too’.”?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The point the member was making was that if somebody is claiming this particular benefit then it has been a longstanding practice for everybody in that position actually to provide a medical certificate.Andrew Little: Would it be such a tragedy if no New Zealander with a chronic or terminal illness had to continually fill out forms and pay for medical certificates to get the help that they deserve?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The member does not understand the system. If someone has terminal cancer then they are not on this particular benefit and they are not required to get a—Hon Members: They are.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No they are not required.Andrew Little: Are he and his Government so heartless that when people are going through one of the most difficult times in their lives all it can do is put barriers in the way of their getting the help they deserve?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I just reject that proposition.Andrew Little: Does he accept that all New Zealanders can see he is prepared to respond to difficult issues affecting vulnerable people only once it hits the media?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No it has been a longstanding practice to require medical certificates.Andrew Little: Why does he not stick up for New Zealanders just for once and treat people who have cancer with dignity?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: This Government does.Darroch Ball: Does he have confidence that the Minister is addressing serious allegations of unsafe practices at the South Auckland Child Youth and Family - run youth justice facility Korowai Manaaki?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I simply do not have the details of that. The member would need to refer that to the Minister.Darroch Ball: How can he have confidence in the Minister when she states in answer to a written question that “the ministry is investigating the allegations regarding Korowai Manaaki and any concerns are being addressed” yet my attempt to table a document in the House detailing those allegations was blocked and there has been no further communication from the Minister to me about those allegations she purports to already be addressing?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly I have absolute confidence that the Minister stands by her words and follows her actions. If the member really feels strongly about the allegations he is making he should feel free to walk outside those doors and say them. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Question—[Interruption] Order! [Interruption] Order! When I call for order I expect that and certainly not a continued barrage then from one New Zealand First member of Parliament.