Update on welfare ‘imminent’

Isaac Davison

Announcements about a promised overhaul of New Zealand’s welfare system are imminent, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

But the Ministry of Social Development has given away some details already in its search for staff to assist with the overhaul.

According to a description of jobs posted on the MSD website in March, it is looking for a project manager and a strategic communications adviser to assist the secretariat which will be set up to support the expert advisory group conducting the overhaul — which has yet to be named.

“This work will be led by an independent group of experts, supported by a secretariat of officials from MSD, the Treasury and Inland Revenue,” Stuff reported.

Labour’s confidence and supply agreement with the Greens promises to “overhaul the welfare system, ensure access to entitlements, remove excessive sanctions and review Working for Families”.

Ardern said yesterday that Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni is reviewing the welfare system and the results of her work were “imminent”.

Ardern said sanctions were one of many issues within the review.

National’s Social Development spokeswoman Louise Upston said in return for access to benefits, people should meet obligations including looking for work, turning up to appointments, staying drug-free and being honest about living arrangements. “[If they are not doing that] there should be sanctions.”