Chris Lynch: New sanctions take effect to boost welfare accountability

Two new sanctions come into effect today aimed at increasing accountability in New Zealand’s welfare system.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the new measures, Money Management and Community Work Experience, now apply after a first failure to meet agreed obligations while receiving a main benefit such as Jobseeker Support.

Kerre Woodham: Charities don't need non-complying beneficiaries

Two new ‘non-financial’ sanctions have come into force today for beneficiaries, who, in the words of the MSD, do not meet their obligations or, as other people might put it, who do not get off their @r$es and go and look for a job.

Some people may have half their weekly benefits put onto a payment card for four weeks, that can only be spent on essential items at approved shops. Others may also have to find volunteer work for at least five hours each week, again for four weeks.

Mike's Minute: We told you, it would work fine

From our “it worked fine, even though many didn’t think it would” file, there are two things to mention.

Thing number one is the benefit sanctions the handwringers argued were unfair and not nice.

It turns out virtually no one has hit red. Remember it was the green, orange, red system? All the Government ever asked in introducing them was for you to do your bit.

David Farrar: O’Connor vs Hipkins

Stuff reports:

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is distancing himself from his MP’s position that benefit sanctions are a “good idea” for those under the age of 20.

Labour has been vocal about the ramping up of the use of sanctions by the Government, calling it “callous”, that the government was “picking on” beneficiaries, and had a “willingness to kick people while they were down”.

Kerre Woodham: It's all about timing when it comes to sanctions

It's no surprise really, given that National campaigned on getting tough on work-shy beneficiaries, that benefit sanctions have increased more than 50% since the same time last year. Last year Louise Upston said should National become the government, they would make it crystal clear to those who were receiving the job seeker benefit, what their obligations were and what the consequences would be if they refuse to do their bit. So there were 10,389 sanctions issued in the June quarter, up 3,630 or 53.7% compared to June last year, mainly for not attending appointments and failing to prepare for work.

Kerre Woodham: How are the benefit sanctions cruel?

The criticisms have come thick and fast in the wake of the coalition government's announcement that there would be sanctions applied to job seekers who choose not to actively look for work, despite help and support that is supposed to be coming from MSD officials. If after all that help and support you, choose not to take a job, then sanctions will apply.

I'm starting to know what you mean when you say the media is biased. All of the images shown on all of the mainstream media show an aggressive looking Luxon laying down the law, and emotive headlines from the Greens and the like, talking about the cruelty of it all.