24 Years on Welfare: New Zealand PM Introduces New Penalties to Break Dependency

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a strict regime of sanctions to “reset” the nation’s welfare system. The prime minister on Feb. 19, said the sanctions could see benefits gets reduced or cut entirely if requirements are not met, like attending job interviews. Speaking at his post-Cabinet press conference, Mr. Luxon said on average New Zealanders were spending an average of 13 years on a benefit, and teenagers on welfare, were trapped there for an average of 24 years of their working life. He said there was “great evidence” of the need for further welfare sanctions, saying the previous Labour government’s decision to drop them, led to more time spent on unemployment benefits....