Opposition goes after government over new benefit sanctions

Summarised by Centrist

The coalition government’s new ‘Traffic Light’ welfare sanctions have drawn criticism from Labour, the Greens, and Auckland Action Against Poverty.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston defends the changes, stressing accountability.

“Our Government will not tolerate people who accept the Jobseeker Support benefit but refuse to uphold their obligation to seek a job – it is not fair on hardworking Kiwis who pay their taxes that go towards those benefit payments,” she said.

Opponents label the measures as “benefit-bashing” and “cruel policies.” Labour leader Chris Hipkins argued, “They should be focused on getting people back into work rather than kicking people when they’re down.”

Read more over at The NZ Herald