Rich Katherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Rich Katherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:606;Page:3694] 
9.  
KATHERINE RICH (NZ National) 
 to the  
Minister of Social Services and Employment 
: Does he agree with the Minister of Youth Affairs that the welfare system “hands out enough to get you through until your next hand out. There are no mutual responsibilities. Recipients are denied a sense of worth and equality.”; if not how will he convince the Minister of Youth Affairs that his welfare policies contain mutual responsibilities? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Social Services and Employment) 
: 
 This Government’s social security policies are based on the concept of mutual responsibility. Let me give two concrete examples. The unemployment benefit eligibility is based on the recipient actively seeking and being ready to take up paid employment. Changes to the domestic purposes benefit reinforce mutual responsibilities to assist people to improve their prospects of gaining sustainable employment. This is a significant advance on the old system which ignored clients until their youngest child turned 6. 
I seek leave to table a document that sets out the Government’s approach to social development and includes a section on mutual responsibility. The document  
Pathways to Opportunities 
 
was published in 2001. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Katherine Rich 
: Is he concerned that a member of his caucus summarises his welfare work using words like “statism” “old left” and “bullshitting”; and given Mr Tamihere’s highly regarded work in the welfare area who does he think the general public is more likely to believe? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: In answer to the first question no. In answer to the second question I agree. I think John Tamihere has a huge amount to offer in the area of welfare policy and in tune with the kinds of things that John Tamihere talks about we are of course exploring decentralisation and devolution. 
Dianne Yates 
: How effective is the concept of mutual responsibility in relation to the Government’s welfare and employment policies in helping New Zealander’s into work? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: Record results have been achieved in helping people into work. Last financial year a record of 51000 long-term employment placements were achieved. Numbers on the main unemployment benefit have dropped by over 27 percent in the last 3 years. This Government believes in mutual responsibilities and in creating opportunities for people to gain real jobs. Unlike the National Government we are not leaving people on work-for-dole schemes; we are getting them into real jobs. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Is it a fact that he has spoken to John Tamihere and that John Tamihere confirms that he will suffer bullshit policies in silence in the future speak about the matter no more parade himself up Lambton Quay at lunchtime with the Minister to show some sort of public relations reconciliation and further he accepts that the Waipareira Trust’s record under John Tamihere’s administration was no example of devolution at work? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: Working backwards I think he thinks the Waipareira Trust did quite well; no he is not going to parade down Lambton Quay; bovine scatology is something that I think he probably indulges in now and again like the member does; and I cannot remember the other questions before that. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I seek leave to repeat the part of the question that the member said he could not remember. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister gave an answer whether or not he addressed the question satisfactorily. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I appreciate your very learned judgment—with some exceptions. I am seeking leave to repeat a part of a question that the Minister said he could not remember. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member can certainly seek leave. Is there any objection? There is. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Can I ask the Minister what the Maori word is for “egg all over your face”? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Well I could ask the member what the Maori is for “leaving the Chamber” too. 
Dr Muriel Newman 
: Is the Minister concerned that recent comments made by the Associate Minister the Hon John Tamihere that the Minister should stop “bullshitting about the welfare system” coupled with the Minister’s outstanding achievement yesterday in winning the  
Dominion Post  
“Wally of the Week” award may have detracted just a little from his “life of blameless excellence”; if not why not? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I am exhausted after that. No. 
Sue Bradford 
: Can the Minister confirm that benefit delivery services will not be privatised under this Government? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: Yes. 
Katherine Rich 
: Who has credibility on Maori welfare issues now: an ex - media studies academic or someone who has previously worked at the welfare front line as leader of the Waipareira Trust? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: Actually my expertise was in social change as well as media studies but I think John Tamihere has a great deal to offer and we will carry on listening carefully to him.