Bennett announces drought relief get-tough measures

The government has announced a range of new measures targeting recipients of state assistance.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced today that those seeking assistance under the government’s drought relief scheme would be required to submit to mandatory drug tests, and to show evidence that they were actively looking for alternative sources of income.

Farmers would also have their benefits docked if they failed to answer phone calls from Work and Income.

The measures are designed to crack down on the abuse by farmers of the government’s drought relief scheme.





Reporters at the Minister’s press conference were unable to elicit further information from Ms Bennett about the measures, as she had by that time fallen over in a fit of hysterical laughter.