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Supplementary Order Paper No 144

No 144

House of Representatives

Supplementary Order Paper

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Social Security (Commencement of Benefits) Amendment Bill

Proposed amendment

Jan Logie, in Committee, to move the following amendment:

New clause 7

After clause 6 (page 2, after line 23), insert:

7 Department must advertise review process

(1)

The department must, for the period described in section 5(2)(d), undertake an advertising campaign informing eligible individuals of their entitlement to apply for a review under section 10A of the principal Act.

(2)

The advertising campaign described in subsection (1)—

(a)

should have a broad audience reach; and

(b)

must include—

(i)

television advertising on major free-to-air television stations; and

(ii)

radio advertising on major radio stations; and

(iii)

advertising in daily newspapers circulating in each of the cities of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin; and

(iv)

Internet advertising on significant New Zealand-based websites; and

(c)

must include advertising that specifically targets Māori, Pasifika, and migrant communities, including advertisements that—

(i)

communicate the information in the native language of the relevant community; and

(ii)

are run on media that specifically targets the relevant community.

(3)

The department must make information about the process to apply for a review under section 10A of the principal Act prominent and easily accessible from the home page of its departmental website.

Explanatory note

This Supplementary Order Paper inserts new clause 7, to advertise the review process for people to have the ability to apply for a review of their entitlements.

The Government has an obligation to apply the law as written and to protect the rights of New Zealanders as established by law. Advertising the right to claim upholds those rights and the obligation of the Government.

The legal interests of beneficiaries should be given an opportunity to be publicly aired, known, and an opportunity to apply through proper Government process. People need to be aware that they have been affected by the law being incorrectly applied.

Every effort must be made to reach people throughout New Zealand through a variety of different mediums.