Paula Bennett. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Paula Bennett has been criticised after she lauded a professor she appointed to a welfare reform group - then confused him with a namesake with wildly opposing views.
The Social Development Minister last week said she had appointed Australian professor Peter Saunders to the Welfare Working Group.
Green Party MP
Catherine Delahunty later told Parliament he was known to have extreme views, including one linking low average intelligence with low class.
Ms Bennett said she didn't agree with everything Professor Saunders said but he had something to offer. She suggested that MPs read his book Welfare to Work in Practice.
Yesterday in Parliament, Ms Delahunty pointed out that the book was in fact written by another Professor Peter Saunders - from the University of New South Wales.
"The differences are great between Peter Saunders of the University of New South Wales and the Peter Saunders who describes himself as a freelance consultant and independent author," Ms Delahunty said.
"One wants to reduce poverty and inequality, the other wants to increase poverty and inequality. I am not sure which one [Ms Bennett] thinks she appointed as an adviser to the Welfare Working Group but I am guessing it is the freelance Peter Saunders."
Ms Bennett released a statement to clear up confusion, saying: "I can assure you we got the right man."
She said both professors studied in England, both were based in Sydney at the same time and both had continued to lecture on social policy and welfare and had written books on the topic.
"This clearly creates potential for mistaken identity," Ms Bennett said.
THE PETER PRINCIPLE
Professor Peter Saunders, University of New South Wales:
"There may be advantages in allowing those with the weakest attachment to ... work to 'opt out' and live on an 'unconditional basic income' financed by the rest of society.
Professor Peter Saunders, Centre for Independent Studies:
It is "immoral ... to take money from people who maintain themselves and families ... and redistribute it to people who have no intention of even trying to achieve self-reliance".
- additional reporting by NZPA
