# Labour Greens condemn National drug test policy

> Labour and Greens call National's drug testing plan cruel and deplorable.
- Title: Labour Greens condemn National drug test policy · RNZ
- Summary: Labour and Greens call National's drug testing plan cruel and deplorable. Labour and Greens condemn National's proposal to drug test unemployed beneficiaries…
- Keywords: labour, greens, national, drug test, unemployed beneficiaries, winston peters, david seymour, jobseeker, benefit rate, drug testing policy, politics, news
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1794026/labour-greens-slam-national-s-promise-to-drug-test-unemployed-beneficiaries
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-08T04:43:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: labour, greens, national, drug test, unemployed beneficiaries, winston peters, david seymour, jobseeker, benefit rate, drug testing policy, politics, news
## 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
## Key takeaway

Labour and Greens condemn National's proposal to drug test unemployed beneficiaries as cruel and deplorable.