5. Question No. 5—Social DevelopmentHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 5—Social Development5. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social Development: What sanctions if any is the Government proposing to remove as part of its welfare overhaul?SPEAKER: The Hon Grant Robertson. Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister for Social Development: How did you know Mr Speaker? SPEAKER: Because the member stood up. Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Barely moved. On behalf of the Minister for Social Development reviewing the sanctions regime to improve child wellbeing is a priority for this Government. We have already passed legislation to repeal section 192 so that children in sole parent households where the other parent isn't named aren't penalised and driven into further poverty. We are also reviewing the subsequent child policy and seeking further advice on the other sanctions suggested for removal by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group. Hon Louise Upston: Which statement about sanctions for drug testing is correct: Jacinda Ardern member of Parliament who said cutting support for drug users would reduce their chances of rehabilitation or Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister—SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat. This Minister has no responsibility for the first statement. Hon Louise Upston: Does the Minister agree with the statement from Jacinda Ardern member of Parliament who said cutting support for drug users would reduce their chances of rehabilitation or Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister who said it's all about making sure it's appropriate use [of sanctions]"? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Prime Minister I find it's always important to agree with the Prime Minister—SPEAKER: No in this case it's on behalf of the Minister for Social Development. Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister for Social Development I find it's always a good idea to agree with the Prime Minister.Hon Louise Upston: Does she agree with the statement "Drug sanctions have a negative impact on the unemployed."; if so why is she not removing the sanction for failing to pass a drug test? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister the position has been made clear by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Social Development that on this side of the House we believe there are a range of ways of making sure that people look after their children and their family by supporting those families through training into work and by getting them into medical facilities. Sanctions are part of a picture for the Government but they are a last resort as they should be. Hon Louise Upston: Of the sanctions applied for people failing drug tests how many have children in their households?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I believe in the last year the number is nine with 16 children involved. Hon Louise Upston: Does she agree with Phil Twyford who said cutting people's benefits by 50 percent when they have children will "ultimately do severe damage to the child[ren]."? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We've been clear that the punitive approach to sanctions used by the previous Government is not something that we would follow. We have never said that there won't be sanctions in the system but they are a last resort.Hon Louise Upston: Why is it OK to cut someone's benefit for failing a drug test but not for refusing to name the father?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As was made clear during the Budget debate this year we do not believe that the sanctions that were being applied around the non-disclosure of a parent were actually achieving the goal that they had. We actually are very proud of the fact that those children now live in households where they'll be $34 a week better off than they were as a result of this. The member opposite knows that sanctions should be used as a last resort. On this side of the House we're putting money into case managers at the Ministry of Social Development to active labour market policies to supporting people to getting referrals to health services. We believe that sanctions are a last resort."