Handouts not answer to welfare problems, says Collins

Judith Collins

National's new social services spokeswoman, Judith Collins, says she knows of people who abuse the welfare system but throwing money at the problem is not the answer.

Mrs Collins has enthusiastically endorsed party leader Don Brash's welfare policies, something MP Katherine Rich could not do.

Mrs Rich was yesterday stripped of the social services portfolio because she could not sell the policies in election year, despite supporting Dr Brash and his raising of the debate on welfare.

Mrs Collins told National Radio today that she was not Dr Brash's mouthpiece.

"I don't think anyone who knows me would ever think that I was anyone else's mouthpiece."

But she said she was "passionate" about not allowing people to live their lives in poverty.

"I come from a family that has a background in poverty at various stages and I'm not going to sit back and throw money at things and think that that fixes it, because it doesn't."

Mrs Collins was asked about previously referring to beneficiaries as sitting around all day, watching Sky TV, living off the taxpayer, letting their children run riot and getting stoned.

She could not today recall making that statement but said if she had it would have been in reference to a particular case.

She certainly knew of some people who abused the welfare system, she said.

"It's often those people who need the most possible help that they can get. It's not about just doling out money, it's about having enough courage to be really compassionate and helping them out of it.

Mrs Collins said she did not know if the answer was cutting the domestic purposes benefit to women who had more children while on welfare but Dr Brash had not said the benefit should be cut.

"I certainly know that it's a hugely complex issue."

The caucus had substantially signed up to the policy, which was something the electorate wanted, she said.

Mrs Collins told NZPA yesterday that being given the portfolio was a "tremendous vote of confidence".

"What is absolutely true is Don Brash has shown an extraordinary amount of courage in saying what had to be said...

"I know I have the determination and the courage to fulfil the promise that Dr Brash has given to the people of New Zealand."

She said today Dr Brash was a great leader to work with.

"I have no problem whatsoever with him. I find him a highly intelligent person who is used to understanding that sometimes you've just got to make a call on things and that's all part of leadership.

"Obviously I am really sorry for Katherine because Katherine and I are really good mates in caucus.

"I have no doubt at all that Katherine, after this bit of a hiccup, is going to come back just as strong if not stronger," she said.

Dr Brash said today he had been given "general sign-off" on the direction of welfare policy but his Orewa speech had been written over the holiday period so the caucus had not finally signed off on every word.

He and Mrs Rich had disagreed on how to deal with women who had more children while on the DPB.

Dr Brash told National Radio he still regarded Mrs Rich as a personal friend and political ally.

- NZPA