ACT Leader David Seymour Admits Delay on Beneficiary Policy

ACT leader David Seymour has acknowledged that work has not yet commenced on a key beneficiary policy outlined in his coalition agreement with the National Party. This agreement included a commitment to create an approved pool of doctors authorized to issue medical certificates for individuals seeking health and disability-related benefits.

The proposed policy aims to reduce the number of people on the supported living payment, which currently includes approximately 107,000 beneficiaries. It was initially part of a campaign promise made by ACT during the last election, with Seymour asserting that the policy would help identify fraudulent cases by facilitating more thorough inquiries.

Progress on Policy Remains Uncertain

When questioned by The Post about the status of the policy, Seymour admitted, “We haven’t – but nonetheless, there is still time.” He also indicated that he had not received any policy advice regarding this initiative, stating, “I haven’t discussed it with Louise Upston, the social development minister.” Instead, he noted satisfaction with the electronic income management efforts already implemented.

Despite Seymour’s comments, Graham Allpress, general manager of client service delivery at the Ministry of Social Development, reported that initial work on the policy had indeed begun. Allpress stated that “Phase one of the Approved Doctors coalition agreement has been implemented,” focusing on proactive case management for Jobseeker-Health Condition or Disability clients aged 18 to 24 with part-time work obligations. This phase utilized existing resources to enhance support for younger beneficiaries.

Criticism from Opposition Parties

In light of the stalled policy development, Ricardo Menéndez March, the Green Party’s welfare spokesman, expressed relief that the government had not moved forward with what he described as a misguided initiative. He characterized the policy as primarily focused on “beneficiary bashing” rather than providing meaningful improvements for those in need.

Menéndez March emphasized the existing challenges within the system, arguing that it is already overly punitive. He pointed out that individuals with lifelong disabilities face the burden of repeatedly proving their status to the government, incurring unnecessary expenses in the process.

As concerns about the effectiveness and implications of the proposed policy continue to surface, the Ministry of Social Development has yet to respond to an Official Information Act request submitted by The Post in August. The agency has not provided a new deadline for the response, raising further questions about transparency and accountability in the policy-making process.

With the coalition government facing criticism for its handling of this policy, the future of the proposed measures remains uncertain as stakeholders await further developments.