8. Question No. 8—Social Development and EmploymentHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 8—Social Development and Employment8. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by all of her statements and actions?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Yes in the context in which they were made.Hon Louise Upston: Why did she say she wanted to remove the outstanding arrest warrant sanction when this would allow criminals like the couple who shot at police during their 12-day crime spree to use taxpayers' money to evade police?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I think the member has taken any comments that I made about that particular sanction out of context. I also have said very clearly that it is not something that is on our work programme at this point in time. I have however said in the past and I will totally acknowledge that that I don't think the welfare system should be used as a tool for the justice system and I think it is something that we should look at in the future.Hon Louise Upston: Hasn't she just answered questions about resolving youth crime issues through the welfare system?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Supporting youth to realise the potential through the welfare system not punishing them and pushing them closer to the justice system.Hon Louise Upston: Does she believe then that people on the run from police should continue to receive a full benefit?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: As I said I have no intention at this point in time to change the current policy.Hon Louise Upston: Given the Minister's answer—and she's not quite sure which way she's sitting on this—does she agree cutting the benefit on criminals—Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order Mr Speaker. It's well known—and the member who's asking the question is an experienced member—that questions are an opportunity to ask questions not to provide a commentary on the answers given.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Speaking to that point that is true but the commentary that prefaced the question is led to by the failure of the Minister to answer a very straightforward question in the previous supplementary.SPEAKER: The Hon Chris Hipkins is correct. I was waiting for the question to be completed. Just on the speaking to the point of order it was out of order in itself as well. It shouldn't be used to have a go because you just don't like what the point of order is about and pointing out that it's because the previous question wasn't answered—a point of order should've been taken at that stage. It would've been my ruling that it was addressed so I'll deal with that bit. But as far as the current supplementary's concerned you shouldn't make a comment as that would be out of order.Hon Louise Upston: Will the Minister commit to retaining sanctions for those on the run from police for as long as she is Minister or does she believe people wilfully defying police arrest should never be sanctioned?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: As I said it is not on the work programme currently. I can't guarantee that in future Governments it might not be changed. However it's certainly not on my agenda for now. What we are focused on is making sure that we support people to realise their potential in the welfare system not look for every opportunity to punish them because they're on it.