Benson-Pope David: Social Security Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Benson-Pope David: Social Security Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9245] 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 I would like to take just a brief call to discuss three matters. The first of them is in response to the previous speaker and I say to her that I have absolutely no doubt that the information she hears anecdotally about policies not being followed is passed to her in the best of faith. I have absolutely no doubt of her integrity and commitment from her historical commitment to people who are less advantaged in this sector of our New Zealand community but I say to her that I the Government and those who work in a very efficient—I have found—Ministry of Social Development are unable to help individuals who have issues unless they can be identified. So I make an appeal to that member that if she has particular instances where she believes that the policy I am articulating and the policy that is clearly articulated by the ministry is not being followed then I think she has a responsibility to pass that to me or to appropriate people in the ministry so that those issues can be corrected. I repeat my appeal to her to do that. 
The second issue I want to raise is in relation to the comments of Ms Collins about so-called research that as such was presented to the Social Services Committee by Mr Paul Blair from Rotorua. It is true that Mr Blair’s research—oh sorry Mr Blair’s work is probably a better description—was commissioned by the Families Commission. It is not true to suggest that the Families Commission had completed a full peer review of the work or indeed had authorised its release. In fact that work has not subsequently been released because the Families Commission found it—shall I say charitably—“seriously wanting”. The fact of the matter is that that work covered a sample of we believe fewer than 15 people. Given that the cohort we are talking about sole parents receiving a benefit is around 90000—it has reduced but it is still too many I know but these are people who need that support—then 15 out of 90000 is not what one even in National Party circles would describe as a very robust or credible basis for any research. I guess I am therefore not surprised to hear Ms Collins basing her specious arguments on that matter. 
The most important thing I want to say to the Committee is that for me the important thing about this legislation is what it means in reality for New Zealanders. I cannot better characterise that than by using the words of Leanne Keep. Leanne is a young woman who lives in Christchurch. She is a beneficiary of this policy actually—the policy that the National Party is continuing to object to and that the Green Party is continuing to oppose. I would like to tell the Committee her story. Leanne’s situation is very different now from the one in which she found herself last year. Leanne has authorised me to use her name and circumstances to talk about the effects of the changes that are now operating on a voluntary basis. She first visited a case manager about a year ago seeking help. She was struggling with a small child—she had a 3-year-old with health and behavioural issues—and she was referred by her case manager for advice and support on parenting skills. As she put that advice into action she has been able to begin planning for her and her child’s future. The first of those steps was a course at the Next Step Centre for Women in communications skills goal setting and self-esteem job search and computer skills. I quote Leanne: “When I was struggling I felt supported by Work and Income. I am grateful for the help I have received to study to have my son in childcare to help with disability costs and to have a referral for parenting support. All of this has contributed to me being able to work.” 
With her support systems in place Leanne was able to take the next step into full-time employment. Now she works full-time at a local primary school. Leanne has a good reason for celebrating her success in finding a job that interests her as well for providing a better lifestyle for herself and her son. Leanne of course also gets substantial support from the Working for Families package. She cancelled her domestic purposes benefit from 23 April this year. She is working full-time at the Allenvale Special School and PreSchool. She gets per week from Working for Families $372 worth of support—$82 of that is the family tax credit $60 is the in-work credit she gets a $75 accommodation supplement and she gets $155 of childcare assistance. That gives a total of $372 a week. Starting a full-time job therefore has meant that Leanne is better off by $127 a week. That is what this legislation is about and that is what National is opposing. This legislation is about supporting real New Zealanders with real issues to go back into the workforce.