back and forth. I was asked at some point whether or not—at the bidding and urging, I think, of some Opposition members, for people to be prosecuted. The point that I made was that although those aren’t decisions for any member of the Government, it’s wrong to assume that people don’t feel the consequences of when these issues happen. No one here has ever said anyone has deliberately ignored advice or not taken heed of the advice that has been given. But the idea of when a mistake happens or an error happens that there isn’t consequence—I think people feel that acutely. The idea that a fine somehow changes the experience people have where things go wrong, I think is wrong. People do feel that consequence deeply.
David Seymour: Is the Prime Minister saying that the person’s inviting the judgment of the whole country from the highest podium of the land, when case L has no platform from which to defend themselves, is enough of a consequence and fines aren’t necessary?
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: No, no. What I’m saying is this idea that we somehow improve an environment and create an environment where people will go out and willingly be tested or tell our contact tracers the truth—the idea that that is enhanced by fines, or indeed prosecutions, I think is a really debatable point, and, ultimately, those aren’t decisions we make. But we all have to make sure we try and create an environment where people know how important it is to follow the rules, to get tested when we ask for testing to occur, and to give all the information to our contact tracers. Chris Bishop: Has she investigated how and why what she now says is incorrect information was posted by the Unite against COVID-19 Facebook page?
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I think the member needs to give the context here. There was a discussion on a thread, as I understand, and then someone replied in response to that. So the point that I’m making to the member is the idea that we would communicate important information to an individual family who is required to isolate in that form is not accurate. Of course the expectation is that they would receive it directly, either through, for instance, the school or through a public health unit. Obviously, we’ve acknowledged here that the post in that comment section was not correct.
Question No. 5—Social Development and Employment
5. STEPH LEWIS (Labour—Whanganui) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What support has the Ministry of Social Development provided to people and families affected by the COVID-19 restrictions?
Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Budget 2020, in response to COVID-19, provided further funding of $200 million over two years to help social service organisations meet the need created by COVID-19 and to help plan for any resurgence. As a result of the recent alert level restrictions, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) have been checking in with social service organisations in Auckland to ensure they’re well placed and able to meet the needs of their local communities. Some reported an increase in demand, but the majority stated that they were well resourced to meet that demand. There were a few who reported needing additional funding, mostly to meet food demand. MSD were able to provide this.
Steph Lewis: What additional support has been provided?
Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Last week, the Government announced the activation of the most recent COVID-19 wage subsidy. So far, we’ve seen $82 million paid to businesses and self-employed people through the wage subsidy. There has, of course, also been the leave support scheme and the Short-Term Absence Payment. The suite of income support that we’re encouraging businesses and people to tap into is aimed to reduce the financial pressure on businesses and to support everyone to continue their valuable role in keeping COVID-19 in check.
