Daily review 09/10/2026

One comment on “Daily review 09/10/2026”

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   Sliding in the polls, have a crack at beneficiaries: National's drug test policy follows a well-worn pattern
   [The Spinoff, 8 Oct 2026]

   "A well-worn pattern" indeed – worn out even – yet some Kiwis still appear to get a kick out of it.
   Well well well, look at that Nat. Note "drug testing" and "distraction", in line with Luxy's MMP referendum and urgent caucus meetings.

   
   Chris Slane, 2013 – https://natlib.govt.nz/records/32240537

   Depicts Prime Minister John Key as puppet master operating a Punch and Judy show for the public. Punch is played by Social Development Minister Paula Bennet who is bashing a solo mother with children with a bat labelled 'benefit cuts'. The audience is calling for Punch to "Bash the Benie". Refers to major social welfare reforms bought in by Bennett which are expected to cut thousands of people off benefits and penalise solo parents. Reforms include reducing all existing benefits to three new categories, drug testing, clearing outstanding warrants for arrest, requiring all sickness, mental health patient and solo parent beneficiaries to look for work (see Otago Daily Times 15 July 2013). This cartoon suggests that Key is the behind the scenes architect of the reforms, and that the reforms are a entertainment and distraction for the public.

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