Job-seekers to lose benefits for failed drug tests

Published: 10:28AM Tuesday August 28, 2012

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett - Source: ONE News

Drug testing beneficiaries will be "too expensive and it won't work", the Green Party says.

Details of the Government's welfare reforms were announced this morning, with Social Development Minister Paula Bennett warning unemployed beneficiaries required to look for work that they would face sanctions if their recreational drug-taking interfered with their ability to accept jobs.

"Recreational drug use is simply not an acceptable excuse for avoiding available work," she said.

The current welfare system allows unemployed beneficiaries to decline an application for a job if it requires an initial drug test.

The Ministry of Health is warning that the move will cost the Government up to $14 million dollars a year, while only saving around $7 million.

Bennett predicts better savings than the Ministry of Health.

"The savings are estimated around $10.5 million so we certainly think it's more about savings than cost."

However, Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said all of the advice she has received says its "too expensive and it won't work".

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Job-seekers to lose benefits for failed drug tests