2. Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What reports, if any, has she received on programmes she has put in place since she became Minister?

Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) : I have received a number of reports that show that the programmes put in place since National came into Government have been achieving well.

Hon Annette King: Does she agree with the Hon John Key, who said that New Zealand needs fewer politically correct programmes like listening to music, and we need closer alignment between our economic needs and Government-supported programmes to ensure people flow into trades and apprenticeships; if not, why not?

Hon PAULA BENNETT: I certainly agree with the Prime Minister, particularly when he talks about the need for us to create real jobs for young people and for New Zealanders out there. It is about a bigger programme than just one particular need. It is about real jobs. It is about giving businesses confidence so that they can invest and employ more people.

Hon Annette King: Does she agree with the Hon Bill English, who said that it was a nonsense to spend money on dodgy community programmes when the economy is suffering from a lack of skilled workers; if not, why not?

Hon PAULA BENNETT: I certainly agree with the Minister of Finance when he talks about how we need to assist those young people at this time with some Government initiatives. It is about the right investment. It is about infrastructure programmes. It is about the Government putting the money where it needs to be, so that businesses have that confidence to grow more real jobs for our young people.

Katrina Shanks: Can she give us example of how the Government is working hard to ensure the success of its programmes?

Hon PAULA BENNETT: The Government is taking a long hard look at the way we contract with the non-governmental organisation sector and the relationships that we have with communities. We are not just pointing at providers and saying that they have to change. We are saying that if we want different outcomes, we have to do things differently. We have to change the way we contract, which is why I am delighted that more high-trust contracts with non-governmental organisations are about to be signed.

Hon Annette King: Are the criteria for Community Max still to support the completion of projects that benefit the community or the environment, creating jobs for young people and providing an opportunity for them to build skills and work experience while contributing to the community; if not, what are the criteria?

Hon PAULA BENNETT: Yes, that is part of the criteria. But I want to be quite clear that this Government is not over-prescriptive. We are backing communities to get on with it and do what is best for them within their communities. I must admit that when designing this programme, we did not take the control freak approach that we have certainly seen in the past. We trust those we contract with to get on with the delivery and do what is best for their communities.

Hone Harawira: Has the Minister seen the many enthusiastic reports showing how Community Max participants are now confident, knowledgable, and skilled enough to begin employment or training? What incentives are being developed to create supported training, work options, and jobs to build on this success?

Hon PAULA BENNETT: Yes, I have seen many reports of positive outcomes from Community Max. I know that the member himself has certainly approached me many times with good-news stories of how it is working in his community to keep young people on. The follow-up is most important. We need to make sure that we are addressing long-term real jobs at the end of it.

Hon Annette King: Does the use of Community Max funding—which by one provider’s own admission is a recruitment tool for a rugby league team paying 18 young men for 30 hours a week to have an opportunity in their sport, with no literacy, numeracy, or particular skill or training provided—meet the Community Max criteria or the promise of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to get rid of dodgy politically correct programmes; if so—

Mr SPEAKER: I ask members to show some courtesy. There is a structured question being asked and the House should hear it.

Hon Annette King: For such a programme to exist under her watch, will she tender her resignation for failing to meet the high standards that the Prime Minister has set for his Ministers?

Hon PAULA BENNETT: I am not aware of the particular programme that the member is talking about. But I will say that the previous Government was so controlling—it had to be only its way; it had to tick certain boxes—that it did not support young people to be engaged and have real—

Mr SPEAKER: I apologise to the Minister, but on this occasion I ask the Opposition to show a little respect. A question has been asked, in fact, by the Opposition. Even if Opposition members are not interested in hearing the answer, I am.

Hon PAULA BENNETT: As far as Community Max is concerned, we have put it back to the communities to look at what is best for them in their environment.

Hon Annette King: Blame them.

Hon PAULA BENNETT: I am not blaming them at all. I think they are doing a fantastic job. That is certainly the difference between us and Labour. The communities are stepping up and finding real opportunities for their young people. One way to engage them is through sporting activities. So, I will back them. There will be the odd time that we need to go back and check on some things, but I reckon they are doing a fantastic job and it is working well.

Hon Annette King: Is accountability for the expenditure of taxpayers’ money an important part of this Government’s programme?

Hon PAULA BENNETT: Yes, it certainly is. Amusingly enough, just last week the criticism from Labour in this House was that we were not extending Community Max. It wanted to see more programmes, and now says there are bad things. It is bit like any policy we have seen from the other side, it is sort of up and down and all around and not really well structured.

Hone Harawira: What assurance can she give the House that the Community Max programme, which has been very successful in, and warmly welcomed by, rural Māori communities right throughout the country, will be sustained beyond the next financial year?

Hon PAULA BENNETT: We are pleased how the programme has developed. It has always been time limited, it was always a recessionary measure, and Cabinet did put a major investment in that, but there have been no obligations for that since then.