Yesterday was Social Development Minister Paula Bennett’s birthday and Trans Tasman gives her the gift of praise:
. . .Is Paula Bennett the most effective Minister to have held the Social Development portfolio? There’s little doubt her welfare reforms are hitting the mark, judging by the fierce reaction to the news at least 21,000 beneficiaries have travelled overseas in the past nine months. Of those, nearly 5000 have had their benefits cancelled once eight weeks had elapsed since their departure. It makes it hard for Opposition politicians to pitch the case of growing inequality. Bennett has also been equally effective on issues like family violence, when lobbyists (who would normally be critical of a National Minister holding the portfolio) praise her work and say they want her to keep on with it…………
Having lobbyists on social matters, who are almost on the left of the spectrum, want her to stay on is high praise and well deserved.
Homepaddock 