National continues in its attempt to dominate media by announcing outlandish policies. Today it was going for a twofor.
It has announced as policies random drug testing for beneficiaries and benefit cuts for those unfortunate enough to be on the jobseeker benefit for two years or more.
From Radio New Zealand:
National is promising to introduce random drug testing for those on the jobseeker benefit to ensure they’re “ready for work”.
A policy document released by the party said New Zealanders were regularly required to pass drug tests to get or keep a job and it was “not too much to ask” that people getting Jobseeker Support take “reasonable steps to remain work-ready”.
The announcement is part of a five-point plan that wants to “remain focused on employment”, and is “fair and affordable for taxpayers.”
National’s Social Development and Employment spokesperson Louise Upston made the announcement in Paraparaumu on Thursday morning.
Upston said it would start with 10,000 tests in the first year and expand over time.
National expects the policy to cost around $1.5 million per annum and be funded from MSD baselines. The savings are expected to be just over $580 million from 2027/28 to 2030/31.
“Under our policy, a first failed test will be recorded and a second failed test will trigger a clinical alcohol and drug assessment.
“Where someone then fails to meet their obligations, the normal sanctions regime will apply, which could include reductions to their benefit.”
Upston claims that the policy wasn’t about “punishing someone because they haven’t found a job” but was to make sure people receiving Jobseeker Support met “reasonable” expectations to be ready for work.
But her statement is conflicted by the second part of the policy which will clearly punish those who have not been able to find a job within two years.
Under the policy single Jobseeker recipients without children will lose $48 per week, couples without children would lose $82 per week and Jobseeker recipients with dependent children around $24 less per week.
The announcements are calculated cruelty. And they underscore how bad National has been at creating jobs.
Christopher Luxon had set his government a target of no more than 140,000 kiwis on jobseeker but had missed this terribly with the September figure being 218,000.
The drug testing is red meat to its supporters. Beating up on beneficiaries always goes down well with its base.
The justification is that treasury is predicting 220,000 new jobs over the next four years. But things are dire now. Given that Luxon is so far off his target there is no guarantee that the Treasury prediction will be any more accurate.
All that the change will do is make chronically unemployed people poorer and more desperate. Already anyone who loses a job over the age of 60 is finding it really hard to get a job. This will just build in extra misery.