1349 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

1349 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What feedback, if any, did she receive from staff during her visit to MSD during the week of 4 December 2023 regarding the implementation of sanctions?

Hon Louise Upston: I have enjoyed speaking to many MSD staff on my visits, all of whom are determined and passionate about helping New Zealanders, including supporting them into work where they are able to. During these visits, I focus on meeting and commending MSD staff on their excellent work and understanding what they see and hear on the frontline. These are everyday conversations that are not recorded verbatim. I do not recall any specific conversations about the "implementation" of sanctions, probably because the existing work related sanction’s regime has been in place since 2010. I can recall some general feedback on the role of sanctions and that a range of views were expressed in these conversations. This Government has made our expectations clear, as the first part of our reset of the welfare system, that the existing work obligations and sanctions should be fully applied: www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-begins-reset-welfare-system. This is also my response to written parliamentary questions 1350 (2024), 1351 (2024), 1352 (2024), 1353 (2024), 1852 (2024) and 1853 (2024).