11. Question No. 11—Social DevelopmentHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 11—Social Development11. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social Development: What if anything is she doing to prepare the welfare system for the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): The Government has already taken strong action to support the economy in response to COVID-19 and is rolling out a comprehensive plan including: working with industry to support affected businesses including an $11 million tourism package; agreeing to a business continuity package; and directing work on an economic stimulus package building on the already announced $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme. As mentioned in my response to oral question No. 6 the additional measures announced to date that the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is specifically leading or actively contributing to are: standing up rapid response teams in the most impacted regions; the temporary removal of stand-down periods from 23 March to ensure faster access to financial assistance; and working alongside the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment to develop a wage subsidy option for employers and on redeployment options. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that MSD is poised and ready to support those who are able to stay in work find alternative work or enter into further upskilling and training if and when required.Hon Louise Upston: Why did she state in the House yesterday and I quote I haven't been alerted to the need for forecasts at this point." and has someone now alerted her?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I said in the House yesterday that I had not received any updated forecasts with respect to jobseeker benefit numbers. That was the question that was put to me. I also said that we are expecting the forecasts—the benefit forecasts would next be completed as part of the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update which is set to be published on 14 May 2020.Hon Louise Upston: Does she not consider it important to ask officials for the expected increase in the number on jobseeker benefit?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: That member will be aware of the fact that forecasts are done in line with Treasury at particular intervals and at this point I have not been alerted by Treasury—Chris Bishop: Do your job.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: —for the need to update forecasts prematurely. [Interruption] SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will stand withdraw and apologise. Dr Smith.Hon Dr Nick Smith: What for? What have I done wrong?SPEAKER: For reflecting on me. The member knows—Chris Bishop: I think it was me.SPEAKER: I apologise to both members for mixing them up. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Point of order.SPEAKER: No I'm getting a withdrawal and apology from this member first.Chris Bishop: I apologise. Well I withdraw and apologise.Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The Hon Nick Smith certainly made a comment during that question time and he knows what it was.Hon Dr Nick Smith: It wasn't unparliamentary.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Mr Speaker do you want to hear what he said?SPEAKER: No I don't. If the member thinks it's unparliamentary we're not having—Rt Hon Winston Peters: Well it's against Standing Orders. That's why he should apologise.SPEAKER: I'm quite certain that I'll go back and listen to the tapes and look at the television on this and if I need to take further action I will.Hon Louise Upston: If she has no advice on the impact of coronavirus on jobseeker support numbers how can she be preparing her department?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The question in the House and the one that the member is referring to was whether or not I had received forecast figures around jobseekers benefit and I haven't. We are all as a Government and Government agencies making sure that we are prepared. It's important as a Government that we do not panic and we do not incite panic from New Zealanders but that we respond accordingly. So the additional measures I talked about are integral to making sure that we are prepared. But can I say also that they build on some of the investments we already made as a Government to invest and ensure that our welfare system is fit for purpose including the investment in 263 more front-line case managers to make sure that we can have that work focus that we need.Hon Louise Upston: When will the Minister ask for an impact of coronavirus on the number of jobseeker benefits if she's serious about preparing her department?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: If I receive advice from Treasury that that is required then I will welcome that information. For now I'm set on making sure that as a Government agency we don't panic but that we are out in the regions are supporting employers supporting business and supporting our clients and New Zealanders that may be affected to ensure that they are taken care of whether it be through financial assistance or whether it be with respect to support into employment upskilling and training during this time.Hon Louise Upston: Is she not concerned about the significant impact that this coronavirus outbreak will have on the country and taxpayers with an increase on those going on to the dole?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I think as a House we are all concerned about the potential impacts of coronavirus but what we're trying to do as a Government is ensure that we are poised to respond as the situation unfolds that we are prepared that we are proactive and that we are putting appropriate measures in place. I believe that we are doing that. We want to make sure that we do not throw industry or New Zealanders who are in the workforce into panic. We just want to be there to support them and to ensure that we can get through this appropriately."