ACT’s welfare policy

The Herald reports:

Drug addicts will face the prospect of losing their benefit if they refuse treatment or don’t make efforts to find work, the Act Party leader says.

David Seymour who is visiting Christchurch today has announced the party’s policy on welfare which takes a harder line on drug addicts and those on sickness benefits, including those who suffer from long-term stress.

Act wants to reduce the current number of 4000 people who receive the Supported Living Payment because of stress, 70 per cent of them for more than five years.

Stress is a condition that can be treated over time, not a permanent incapacity, the party says.

Act says 4100 people receive a benefit because they are addicted to drugs, costing taxpayers $76 million a year. About 2700 of them are on the Jobseeker benefit and almost 30 per cent of them have received it for more than six years.

“Either they’re choosing not to comply with the obligations of their benefit, or their addiction is so far gone that they can’t comply,” Seymour said.

More than 1000 have been receiving a benefit for more than 10 years.

Drug addiction should be treated, not funded.