If you don't already think Parliament is a waste of time read this exchange;
Judith Collins: Why is it that despite all the so-called innovative employment programmes that have been funded over the past year to deal with the sickness benefit and invalids benefit numbers, sickness benefit numbers have risen by another 2,000 to yet another record high, at a time when the Minister of Health keeps telling us that we are a much healthier country these days?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE: Although I and members of this House will be understandably pleased that the rate of unemployment has dropped by 76 percent, I am equally pleased that the total benefit roll number has reduced by around 25 percent. The most instructive comment I could make for that member’s information is about the international comparison between ourselves, the UK, and Australia. [Interruption] Between 2000—
Madam SPEAKER: The member will please be seated. The level of interjections is getting to the point where speakers cannot be heard. Members ask questions, and they expect to be able to get those questions addressed. But if answers cannot be heard through the interjections, it makes a nonsense of the whole exercise. I ask members to please control themselves, and the Minister to continue.
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE: To provide some perspective for the benefit of members opposite, who understandably do not want to hear these figures, I say that between 2000 and 2005 the United Kingdom had a net reduction of 6.4 percent in the number of people in receipt of an unemployment benefit or some form of incapacity benefit. Australia, comparatively, achieved a 0.8 percent reduction in those benefits, and in New Zealand over the same period our achievement was a 25.8 percent reduction.
Judith Collins: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I listened to every word the Minister said, but at no stage did I hear him address the issue of how it is that sickness benefit numbers keep going up to record high after record high.
Madam SPEAKER: I heard the member address the question—at length.
And they move onto the question 9.
Classic Comedy: #32 – Benidorm S05 E04
2 hours ago
4 comments:
Margaret Wilson is an absolute embarrassment. With her in the chair, there will never be any accountability - as long as someone actually says something (anything), she rules they "addressed" the question.
I imagine it has been very constraining for ACT to have its question entitlement radically reduced but when you consider the quality of answers given, I can see how more might be achieved elsewhere.
Margaret Wilson is not an embarassment, she is a disgrace. She, on her own, makes a mockery of democracy. The fact that she lets Labour off having to
answer 'difficult' questions gives them the ability to arrogantly govern without any checks or balance. These people are paid by us and should be accountable to us.
Thanks for posting this account. It raises my opinion of Judith Collins a little. As for Margaret Wilson, what an abysmal "success"! If one wants reasons why MMP is undemocratic, one need look no further than Margaret Wilson.
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