Increased benefit sanctions and the New Plymouth mayor’s call for gas exploration until 2050 w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 15 August, 2024

The Government has announced new sanctions for beneficiaries who do not meet their obligations. These include putting half a person’s benefit on a payment card and community work experience.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston said this is to move people into work and provide tougher consequences for those who repeatedly fail to meet benefit obligations. The changes will be introduced alongside a new “traffic light” warning system for beneficiaries the government campaigned on.

The move has been criticised from opposition parties, including Labour Leader Chris Hipkins who said the move would continue to push people into poverty.

In other news, the Mayor of New Plymouth has called on the Labour Party to support oil and gas exploration until 2050. Neil Holdom states energy policies affected by constraints of the electoral cycle i not working and would like to see a bipartisan approach taken to energy policy.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire host Caeden spoke to Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these issues.