TV replay gives minister a win

Parliament's self-proclaimed Westie, Paula Bennett, yesterday rejected taunts that she had turned her back on her underprivileged past, and denied giving another MP the finger.

A replay of television film backed her denial, forcing a backdown from Labour frontbencher Trevor Mallard.

During a fiery parliamentary session, Labour used the Social Development Minister's background as a solo mother to attack her, accusing her of depriving other solo parents of entitlements from which she had benefited.

MP Carmel Sepuloni claimed changes to a training allowance for people on the domestic purposes benefit (DPB) would deprive them of an allowance Ms Bennett had used to help pay her way through university.

Other Labour MPs joined the fray, accusing Ms Bennett of having double standards.

She has often spoken publicly of her background as a solo mother on the DPB.

The exchange turned testy when Mr Mallard, who is Labour's education spokesman, accused her of giving an "inappropriate one-fingered gesture" across the floor of the House.

But Mr Mallard - who suggested Ms Bennett's denial could be a breach of parliamentary privilege if TV film showed her making the gesture - was later forced to apologise to her.

Labour staffers rang him to say the film showed she had waved her hand without making the gesture.

Finance Minister Bill English accused Mr Mallard of being on "a personal crusade" against Ms Bennett.

"Labour members have broadcast widely that they intend to target Minister Bennett ... We do not intend to accommodate this campaign of persecution," he said.

In the May Budget, Ms Bennett cut eligibility for the training incentive allowance, worth up to $3862 a year, for those wanting to do university degrees or diplomas.

It is now available only for school-level courses or basic tertiary certificates, in a change expected to save $2 million next year and $11.5 million by 2012.

In Parliament yesterday, Ms Sepuloni asked Ms Bennett why the allowance was "good enough for her to take as a solo parent, but now is not good enough for her to give out as Minister for Social Development".

Ms Bennett responded that the country was living in "different times".

"Listen up. It is called a recession, and we make decisions accordingly," the minister said.

Ms Bennett later told the Herald she found the personal level of yesterday's attacks offensive.

"I've always proudly stood up and said I've had benefit from the welfare state and I'm incredibly grateful for it.

"To now have that being used against me, I think is offensive to those people who are on benefits and trying to better their lives."

She said she could not recall if she got the allowance when she was at university in the mid 1990s "but I'm sure I took advantage of all the things that were offered to me".

Times had changed since then.