Labour and Greens condemn National drug test policy

Labour and the Greens have labelled National's promise to drug test unemployed beneficiaries cruel and deplorable.

Winston Peters warns of fascist implications

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the policy could be a massive attack on people's freedoms.

ACT leader supports drug testing

ACT leader David Seymour supported National's drug-testing plan but called lowering payment rates a 'cop-out'.

“people should have to work for their drugs”

National's benefit rate changes

National wants to lower payment rates for people with over two years on benefits and double the stand down period.

Social development spokesperson defends policy

Social development spokesperson Louise Upston said drug-testing was entirely reasonable and expected of many people.

Labour campaign chair calls policy offensive

Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty called the policy 'frankly rubbish' and 'quite offensive' to job seekers.

Salvation Army opposes drug testing

The Salvation Army opposed the proposals, saying sanctions would worsen child poverty.

Beneficiaries face hardship

Auckland Action Against Poverty volunteer Pip Colgan said the policy feels 'really, really cruel' to people trying to find jobs.

“It made me feel sick actually”

Child poverty concerns

The Salvation Army warned drug testing could increase material hardship for 169,000 children in child poverty.

National's job creation claim

National said 200,000 jobs were on the way but Greens called the picture 'too rosy'.

“People can't work Luxon's ghost jobs”