Social Development Paula Bennett was unapologetic over releasing two beneficiaries' income details. Photo / Doug Sherring

Social Development Paula Bennett was unapologetic over releasing two beneficiaries' income details. Photo / Doug Sherring

Ministers and departments need to consider the Privacy Act when they release personal information, Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff says.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett was today unapologetic for releasing the income details of two solo mothers who criticised Government policy, saying she did it to round out the story.

Jennifer Johnston and Natasha Fuller went public last week with their criticism over the scrapping of the training incentive allowance (TIA).

Ms Bennett's office yesterday released details of the Government benefits that the solo mums received - Ms Fuller received $715 net a week and Ms Johnston $554.

While she did not ask the women's permission to release the information, Ms Bennett felt they had taken the matter public by talking to the news media, establishing a website and writing a blog.

She made her decision based on guidelines on the Privacy Commission website, Ms Bennett told reporters.

In Parliament she confirmed she had not sought officials' advice, but said it was something she would not be making a practise of.

Ms Shroff did not say whether she believed a breach had occurred, but said ministers and departments needed to consider the Act before releasing details publicly.

Departments needed in some cases to consider whether they should give a minister information.

"When an issue is raised publicly, it will often require the minister to make a careful judgment about how far he or she can go in response."

Ms Shroff said if she received a complaint the office would consider it.

The Labour Party intends to lay a complaint with the privacy commissioner against Social Development Minister Paula Bennett for releasing income details of two beneficiaries.

Ms Bennett released the income details of solo mothers Jennifer Johnston and Natasha Fuller after they publicly criticised the Government's decision to scrap the training incentive allowance (TIA). Ms Fuller received $715 net a week and Ms Johnston $554, Ms Bennett's office said.

Justifying the unusual action - government ministers seldom comment on individual cases - Ms Bennett said she did it to round up a one-sided story. She felt the women were misleading the public by releasing "selective information".

"I think most New Zealanders will see that actually they've been given a real fair go."