LINDSAY MITCHELL: RNZ catches up on news reported here over a month ago (re-published)

Today RNZ catches up on news reported here over a month ago.

Why has it taken RNZ so long to catch up with the latest benefit numbers? Given the numbers are well up, it's right in their wheelhouse for pushing their anti-government agenda.

But for that matter, why has it taken the opposition so long to ask Parliamentary questions and begin attacking the government on this failure to reach one of their stated targets?

Perhaps because they know full well that their own record on welfare is not at all flash.

For convenience, let's use RNZ's chart:

Under Labour, the percentage of the working-age population on a benefit rose from 9.8 to 11.8%

Under National it has risen further from 11.8 to 13.2%

But when the borders were closed, and employers were crying out for workers, Labour couldn't capitalise on the need. Labour made benefits easier to get on and easier to stay on. They linked them to wage inflation - a very bad idea revoked by National. Ardern's "kindness" brand only pulled more people into a system that is hard to escape for a great many.

Minister Louise Upston stated her case in Parliament yesterday:

"We inherited an economic downturn where close to 190,000 people were on the jobseeker benefit, and jobseeker numbers have been rising steadily since 2022, before we took office. Just yesterday, the COVID-19 royal commission inquiry found Labour’s increased spending drove up Government debt and inflation, which leads to higher unemployment. That’s why the forecast has always been due to get worse before it gets better. That’s why we’re fixing the basics and building a welfare system focused on getting more people into work...What we have done to fix the basics is create a far more active welfare system, including what we launched last week: an industry partnership with chambers of commerce up and down New Zealand, to support more New Zealanders into work."

National generally does better with welfare and reducing dependency but they never do enough. They focus mainly on those who are short-term unemployed and don't change the settings that allow inter-generational, long-term dependence to continue.

That's why the average future expected time on a benefit keeps going up:

Let's hope if the coalition survives the 2026 election, ACT gets to exercise far more influence in this area. Two forgotten words desperately in need of rehabilitation - Personal Responsibility.