National’s plan to randomly drug test Jobseeker Support recipients has drawn criticism from NZ First and the Public Service Association (PSA), with concerns raised about government overreach and pressure on frontline staff.
National’s social development spokesperson Louise Upston said the policy proposed 10,000 tests in the first year, with the programme expanding over time. The scheme would cost an estimated $1.5 million each year, funded from existing Ministry of Social Development budgets.
A first failed test would be recorded, while a second would trigger a clinical alcohol and drug assessment. Further failures to meet obligations could result in benefit reductions. Upston said the policy was about ensuring beneficiaries remained work-ready rather than punishing unemployment.
However, NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones told RCR the proposal was a “sudden lurch towards drug testing beneficiaries,” warning that policies giving the state excessive powers needed scrutiny.
He called the proposal a “slippery slope,” questioning where compulsory drug-testing powers might eventually lead.
PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons also warned the proposal could increase workloads for already stretched MSD staff and hurt relationships with jobseekers.
“Ordering drug tests and handing out sanctions won’t build trust, and it won’t help anyone into a job,” Fitzsimons said.
National’s wider welfare plan included reduced payments for long-term beneficiaries, longer stand-down periods for repeatedly leaving employment without sufficient reason, and intensive employment support for 30,000 jobseekers.
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Yes all Kiwi’s are potentially degenerate druggies, according to these scumbags. National need to GO. They want NZ to become a police state. 100% opposed to what they stand for.
Yes what are they testing for?
The sky is the limit
Like the PCR Tests amplified up to give fake figures
Everybody has genetic debris
National, the starchy blue attired party of squares are doing everything they can to lose this election.
Yep, they are doing this and are too stupid to see it… goodbye Luxon should have happened a while ago to such a good little globalist…
The only daily and mandatory testing that needs to be done is on those that claim they represent we the people.
Second that.
Thrid that
I’ll second that also.
We already have enough slippery slopes
Which is why Chinese tanks have handbrakes
This is the most retarded policy ever by any political party. How much time and money will be wasted trying to rock up unannounced, or tell people to have a drug test within so many days to catch people out for using drugs whilst on a benefit. The only people who will test positive will be people who have used weed, because it stays in the system for weeks. Are they going to turn up at beneficiaries houses and breath test them too? Because the amount a beneficiary would spend on a tinny, would be equivalent to a dozen beers? Essentially nothing in the scheme of things compared to an addict of meth, coke, herion, ectasy which are gone within a day or 2.
Retarded
This is why we cannot vote our way out of total utter stupidity… what a joke this is and how much money is this going to cost? Luxon is bloody stupid and uselsess but the other side is just as bad….breathalyze MPs and drug test them each and every day un-announced…how many I know use coke, drunk drive, watch kiddie porn and this is the police as well… they are all in it and on it…Luxon drop this because you are giving the election to the left..GIVING IT TO THEM YOU IDIOT…
Because these bludgers can just call up an online doctor and get a prescription for legal weed to treat their anxiety from not having a job and produce that prescription when they get tested.
If what you are inferring prescriptions for medicinal cannabis are not free for beneficiaries in New Zealand.
Medicinal cannabis products are not funded by Pharmac, meaning patients must pay the full out-of-pocket cost for both the consultation and the medication dispensed by the pharmacy.
What about a request to an online doctor?
Same answer applies — the medication is always out-of-pocket regardless of whether you see an online doctor. However, the consultation fee varies by clinic:
If I have to get drug tested to work in construction, I don’t see why they shouldn’t be drug tested to get a free hand out from my taxes. If they get a job, they’ll likely have to be tested anyway
How do you reckon this is going to work practically Dan? Are they gonna rock up unannounced at a property where they think the person is? Good luck with that. Or, are they going to tell people they have been randomly selected to turn up somewhete for a test? Bevause there will be a million reasons given for not being able to make it to those appointments, alot that will appear legit and have no way of proving otherwise (out of town for holiday, funeral, family engagement). Will they expect people on benefits to never leave their locale.
Yes, there are plenty of useless people taking the piss on a benefit. This policy will just see them come up with new excuses for taking the piss.
You take a drug test in construction to cover your employers ass that people are not turning up in a dangerous state. Not because they don’t want you doing drugs in your own time.
Breathalysers at the Beehive doors!
test eacb and every cop and politician firstly and publish the results, MONTHLY…..