New Zealand First is astounded that the Government is unable to say how much it will cost to implement its programme to privatise the welfare system.

Welfare spokesperson Asenati Lole-Taylor says she was dismayed to hear that Social Development Minister Paula Bennett did not know how much it would cost to implement the Government’s shady ‘reforms’.

“There is no excuse for the minister not knowing the cost of implementation. Her feeble reply to questions at the select committee of ‘we are doing our best’ just isn’t good enough.

“It is further proof that the Government is rudderless when it comes to issues around finance and the economy.”

Mrs Lole-Taylor says the cost to the country of the reforms will run much deeper than a multi-million dollar implementation figure.

“Their so-called reforms allow foreign-based private providers to make big profits under the guise of finding work for beneficiaries.”