Ngaro Alfred: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeNgaro Alfred: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 February 2014. Volume:696;Page:15922. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.ALFRED NGARO (National) to theMinister for Social Development: What reports has she received about the state of the nation in relation to social outcomes?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development): I have seen a report that says that in the social sector a great deal is going right. It says that educational disparities are narrowing gaps between passing rates from rich to poor schools and from Māori and non-Māori are not as wide as they used to be. What is particularly pleasing to me is the report also says that it is the young people who offer the most hope. There are fewer teen pregnancies fewer on benefits less drinking and more in education employment or training. I know the Opposition does not think that is good news but certainly we on this side do celebrate that.Alfred Ngaro: What else does the report say about progress in the social sector?Hon PAULA BENNETT: The Salvation Army report itself is really very complimentary about this Government’s progress in the social sector. It says “as a national community we have made credible and worthwhile social progress. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate this because for the most part it is intentional and hard won. The Government should be applauded for its contribution to this progress.”Alfred Ngaro: Has she seen any other reports about the state of the nation in relation to social outcomes?Hon PAULA BENNETT: In the interests of balance I have seen other comments in the state of the nation report. It says that “The social outcomes which we as New Zealanders have achieved over the past five years are somewhat mixed and in some areas quite disappointing.” It goes on to say that “What is perhaps most disappointing about these results is that as a country we have invested hugely in the core areas of social spending over the past … years … While this social spending is essential it seems to have contributed very little to our social progress.” But of course this report was from the Salvation Army in 2008.Sue Moroney: Did she read the part where the Salvation Army said that they distributed a record 55718 food parcels to 23400 families during 2013 which the report notes is two-thirds higher than when Labour was in Government; and does she think that the Government should be applauded for that as a social outcome?Hon PAULA BENNETT: I want to commend the Salvation Army for what they do for those vulnerable New Zealanders and there is absolutely no question about it that the Government actually contributes tens of millions of dollars to the Salvation Army and I think they distribute it to those who are most in need. But what I did see in the 2008 report was that we had climbing teenage pregnancy and abortion rates continuing education inequality—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I apologise to the Minister. Point of order Grant Robertson.Grant Robertson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The Minister has been some distance into her answer now. She was asked two questions—I acknowledge that—one of which was whether she had read that particular part of that report. The other was whether she thought the Government should be applauded for it. She has just gone on to talking about 2008—Mr SPEAKER: I accept the point and I was wondering whether the Minister was going to at some stage conclude as to whether she has read that part of the report or answer the second part of the question. Hon Paula Bennett do you wish to add to your answer?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Certainly. I have read the whole report.