Politics

The Government has announced a mammoth 11-person panel to advise on its overhaul of the welfare system, made up of academics, social advocates, economists and business leaders.

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the group would undertake a ‘‘broad-ranging’’ review of the welfare system.

‘‘It will deliver advice to the Government on ways to ensure people have an adequate income and standard of living, are treated with respect, can live in dignity, and are able to participate meaningfully in their communities.’’

The overhaul was promised as part of Labour’s Confidence and Supply agreement with the Green Party. Sepuloni said a welfare overhaul was ‘‘unreservedly supported’’ by all of Government, pointing to NZ First.

The Greens campaigned on removing nearly all sanctions and rules around receiving a benefit, but entered last year’s election campaign without the policy’s champion, Metiria Turei, after she was forced to resign over mounting pressure following an admission of historical benefit fraud.

Sepuloni confirmed the group would be taking a special look at the sanctions brought in by the previous Government as part of its system-wide overhaul in 2012.

‘‘Areas that the Welfare Expert Advisory Group has been asked to focus on range from considering the overall purpose of the system, through to specific recommendations on the current

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni

obligations and

Auckland University professor Cindy Kiro will chair the group, Sepuloni said. ‘‘Her relentless focus on building on the potential in people reflects the principles of this Government.’’

Kiro’s current research focus is the education sector. She is a former children’s commissioner, and established the Taskforce For Action On Family Violence under the previous Government.

That was the largest-ever response to family violence and included 22 government department sanctions regime.’’ chief executives, the chief District Court judge, New Zealand police commissioner, principal Family Court judge, chief families commissioner, five NGO chief executives, as well as Ma¯ ori and Pacific Island representatives.

Other welfare panel members include paediatrician and professor Innes Asher, beneficiary advocate Kay Brereton, academics Huana Hickey and Tracey McIntosh, economist Ganesh Nana and former Business NZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly, as well as trade unionist Robert Reid.

Representing the Council of Christian Social Services on the group is chief executive Trevor McGlinchy, while second-year university student Latayvia Tualasea Tauta will provide a Pasifika perspective as well as her experiences of growing up in a benefit-dependent household. Family Centre founder Charles Waldegrave rounds out the 11-person group.

‘‘The welfare system touches the lives of New Zealanders from all walks of life,’’ Sepuloni said.

‘‘I am pleased the Welfare Expert Advisory Group members themselves come from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience, including but not being limited to Ma¯ori, Pacific, disabled and young people.’’

Parliamentary under-secretary Jan Logie said the Greens welcomed the group’s establishment. ‘‘This Government knows there are immediate changes we need to make to our welfare system, which we are working on. But we also need to take a longterm view and ensure the whole system is working effectively.’’ The Government has given $80,000 to an Auckland company that specialises in e-waste recycling. Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage said Mint Innovation, which uses chemistry and microbiology processes to recover valuable metals from electronic waste such as cellphones, would conduct a technical feasibility study to investigate deploying its processes nationwide. Sage said the e-waste issue was a ‘‘key priority’’. After more than 18 months without a layer of oversight for spy agencies, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the appointments on the InspectorGeneral of Intelligence and Security’s Advisory Panel. Angela Foulkes has been appointed chair and Lyn Provost a member. The two-member panel provides advice to the inspector-general. It may also report to the prime minister on any important security matter.