Judith Collins MP
National Party Welfare Spokeswoman
26 September 2008
Labour has no new solutions to long-term unemployment
Labour's attacks on National's practical and workable benefit policy are proving to be nothing but hot air after
revelations the Government plans to introduce a tougher clamp down on long-term beneficiaries.
"Cabinet papers released today show Labour has no new ideas for getting the longer-term unemployed back into the
workforce, while National's policy offers new tools for officials seeking to encourage the long-term jobless into
employment. Labour has no plan," says National's Welfare spokeswoman, Judith Collins.
"The documents reveal that under Labour, if beneficiaries fail to comply with work-test obligations without good and
sufficient reason, their benefit will be suspended until they conform, and if they fail a third time to comply, the
benefit will be cancelled for 13 weeks, after which they will have to reapply.
"But National has a far more practical policy. Every person who has been on the unemployment benefit for more than a
year will be required to re-apply for their benefit and undergo a comprehensive work assessment. All long-term
unemployment beneficiaries will be required to do what it takes to secure employment. This may include practical
training, attending a basic-skills course, or attending drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
"After that, they will be required to actively look for a job, to go to any job interview they are referred to, and to
accept any offer of suitable employment, whether full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal.
"If they do not comply with these obligations, they will have their benefit reduced in the first instance, then
suspended, and then cancelled.
"National's policy is practical and fair. We will give beneficiaries every incentive to get back into the workforce.
Work is the pathway out of poverty.
"Labour's latest musings show once again that after nine long years, they have totally run out of ideas."
ENDS