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<ref>{{cite web|title=Children's Action Plan website|url=http://www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz/|publisher=Green Paper}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=Children's Action Plan website|url=http://www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz/|publisher=Green Paper}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|last=Levy|first=Danya|title= Child abuse review called political stunt| url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/5333055/Child-abuse-review-called-political-stunt|accessdate=25-07-2011|newspaper=Dominion Post}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|last=Levy|first=Danya|title= Child abuse review called political stunt| url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/5333055/Child-abuse-review-called-political-stunt|accessdate=25-07-2011|newspaper=Dominion Post}}</ref>

=== Controversies ===
==== Family gang connections ====

Paula Bennett has become involved in controversy since joining the Cabinet - initially because of her daughter's partner's gang affiliations and conviction for "wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm". The man, Viliami Halaholo, was paroled to Bennett's house for ten months while he awaited trial.<ref>{{cite web
|first =
|last =
|author = Jane Phare and Rebecca Milne
|authorlink =
|coauthors =
|title = Paula Bennett's two letters
|url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ministry-of-social-development/news/article.cfm?o_id=123&objectid=10554567
|work =
|publisher = [[The New Zealand Herald]]
|location =
|page =
|pages =
|language =
|trans_title =
|format =
|doi =
|date = Sunday, 1<sup>st</sup> February 2009
|month =
|year =
|archivedate =
|accessdate = 3<sup>rd</sup> July 2009
|quote =
}}</ref> Bennett was reprimanded by [[Prime Minister]] [[John Key]] for neglecting to advise him that she had written letters in support of Halaholo during his early incarceration.<ref>{{cite web
|first =
|last =
|author = Leigh van der Stoep
|authorlink =
|coauthors =
|title = Bennett ticked off over letters to back gang member
|url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/news/1387489
|archiveurl =
|work =
|publisher = [[The Sunday Star-Times]]
|location =
|page =
|pages =
|language =
|trans_title =
|format =
|doi =
|date = Tuesday, 3<sup>rd</sup> March 2009
|month =
|year =
|archivedate =
|accessdate = 3<sup>rd</sup> July 2009
|quote =
}}</ref>

In May 2009 Bennett again came under scrutiny for her support of former head of [[WINZ]], Christine Rankin, for a position with New Zealand Families Commission after it was revealed that Rankin had married her fourth husband only weeks after his late wife's suicide.<ref>{{cite web
|first =
|last =
|author = John Armstrong
|authorlink =
|coauthors =
|title = Key treads with caution in deepening moral minefield
|url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10573128
|archiveurl =
|work =
|publisher = [[The New Zealand Herald]]
|location =
|page =
|pages =
|language =
|doi =
|date = Tuesday, May 19<sup>th</sup> 2009
|month =
|year =
|archivedate =
|accessdate = 3<sup>rd</sup> July 2009
|quote =
}}</ref>

In late June 2009 Bennett asked [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]], [[John Key]], to reassign the Disability Issues portfolio so that she "could focus on the Social Development and Employment position".<ref>[[Parliament TV]], Wednesday, 1<sup>st</sup> July 2009</ref> The post was subsequently given to Minister outside Cabinet and [[Māori Party]] co-leader, [[Tariana Turia]].

==== Release of private information about beneficiaries ====

In July 2009, Bennett released the benefit details of two beneficiaries, Natasha Fuller and Jennifer Johnston, who had criticised the Government's policy of getting rid of the Training Initiative Allowance (TIA).<ref name="complain">{{cite web|title=Privacy issues stir Bennett welfare debate |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/privacy-issues-stir-bennett-welfare-debate-2878506 |work=[[One News (New Zealand)|ONE News]]/[[New Zealand Press Association]] |publisher=[[Television New Zealand]] |date=29 July 2009}}</ref> She said she believed she had "implied consent" for the release of the information.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10587131|title=Bennett: I consulted website before releasing mums' benefits|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|first=Claire|last=Trevett|date=28 July 2009}}</ref>

Bennett's actions were described as "disgusting" and "beneficiary bashing" by [[Sue Bradford]] of the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]] and "reminiscent of the days when [[Robert Muldoon|Muldoon]] was in power" by [[Annette King]] of the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10587255|title=Minister accused of breaking privacy law|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|first=Claire|last=Trevett|date=29 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/blogs/bill-ralstons-media-scrum/2682231/The-double-edged-sword|title=The double-edged sword|work=Business Day|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|date=28 July 2009}}</ref> Both Fuller and [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] MP [[Charles Chauvel (politician)|Charles Chauvel]] said that they would make complaints to the privacy commissioner and Schroff, respectively.<ref name="complain"/>

The Privacy Commission have said they're investigating Paula Bennett's actions after receiving a complaint.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2740483/Privacy-Commissioner-confirms-investigation-into-Paula-Bennett|title=Privacy Commissioner confirms investigation into Paula Bennett|work=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|date=11 August 2009}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 10:16, 11 September 2011

The Honourable
Paula Bennett

MP
Minister for Social Development and Employment
Incumbent
Assumed office
19 November 2008
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byRuth Dyson
Minister for Disability Issues
In office
19 November 2008 – June 2009
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byRuth Dyson
Succeeded byTariana Turia
Minister of Youth Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office
19 November 2008
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byNanaia Mahuta
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Waitakere
Incumbent
Assumed office
2008
Preceded byLynne Pillay
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for National Party List
In office
2005–2008
Personal details
Born1969
Wellington, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Political partyNational Party
OccupationConsultant

Paula Lee Bennett (born 1969) is a New Zealand politician and member of parliament for the National Party. She is a Cabinet minister with the roles of Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for Disability Issues and Minister of Youth Affairs.[1]

Early life

Bennett was born in 1969 to Bob Bennett and Lee Bennett, a librarian. She has 1/8th Tainui ancestry through her half-Māori paternal grandmother, Ailsa Bennett.[2] Her father had a flooring business in Auckland, then in 1974 bought the village store at Kinloch, near Taupo. Bennett had two older brothers, Stephen and Mark. The latter died in a diving accident at an Indonesian oil rig in 1991. Bennett attended Taupo-nui-a-Tia College in Taupo and left school and went flatting at the age of 16. At 17 she gave birth to a daughter, Ana, and raised her alone.[3]

Bennett moved to Auckland in 1992[4] where she worked in a rest home, first as a dishwasher and then as a nurse aide. She began studying social work at the Albany campus of Massey University in 1994.[3] She became the welfare officer of the Massey University at Albany Students' Association, then, in 1996, the president, which gave her a taste for politics. She switched to a social policy degree,[3] graduating with a BA.

Member of Parliament

After graduating, Bennett worked as an electorate secretary for Murray McCully, National Party member of Parliament for East Coast Bays, until the 1999 general election. She then worked as a recruitment consultant for several years and assisted McCully in the 2002 general election campaign.[3]

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2005–2008 48th List 45 National
2008–present 49th Waitakere 41 National

In the 2005 general election Bennett stood - unsuccessfully - as the National Party's candidate for the Waitakere seat. She nevertheless entered Parliament as a list MP, ranked 45th on the National Party list.

In the 2008 election, she unseated Waitakere MP Lynne Pillay, winning the seat with a majority of 632.[5] Bennett was then appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Social Development and Employment, Minister for Disability Issues, and Minister of Youth Affairs.

For several years she appeared on TV One's Breakfast with friend and Labour MP Darren Hughes.

In late June 2009 Bennett asked Prime Minister, John Key, to reassign the Disability Issues portfolio so that she "could focus on the Social Development and Employment position".[6] The post was subsequently given to Minister outside Cabinet and Māori Party co-leader, Tariana Turia.

Just six months later Bennett got a name as a feisty Minister after breaking up a fight among brawling teenagers outside her local mall in Henderson in 2009. [7]


Portfolio related:

Job Ops and Community Max programs were introduced by Bennett in August 2009. Job Ops provided a $5,000 subsidy to employers to take on a young person at risk of staying on a benefit for a prolonged period. Community Max provided a subsidy for community group to take on young people to do work programmes locally. Job Ops was pitched largely at urban areas where more employers were available to offer placements and Com Max was pitched more primarily in rural areas with fewer employers, but plenty of community groups and a strong demand for youth to give back to local communities. Both schemes were intended to keep young people in work and engaged in activity during a recession. By 2011 more than 12,000 young people had received a subsided job placement through Job Ops and 5,000 young people had completed a Community Max placement. [8] [9]

The Community Response Fund was announced by Bennett in May 2009 with $104 million for social service providers. It was her flagship social service ‘lifeline’ to help community providers cope with soaring demands in a recession as the usual funding sources were drying up. [10]

In May 2009 Bennett controversially appointed Christine Rankin as a Families Commissioner, prompting an avalanche of negative media publicity focused on Rankin’s relationship with a man who’s wife committed suicide. [11]

In September 2009 the Never Ever Shake a Baby campaign was launched to highlight the dangers of shaking small babies. It was the first of many major public platforms Bennett used to highlight child abuse. [12]

February 2010 - Fresh Start legislation was introduced into Parliament, aimed at the most serious, repeat young offenders. It included the Military Activity Camps which came to be known as ‘boot camps’. The legislation also extended Youth Court jurisdiction to include 12 and 13 year olds accused of serious offences. Previously 12 and 13 year olds were seen in Family Court. [13]

March 2010 - Future Focus changes to the welfare system were introduced by Bennett who instituted a requirement for Domestic Purpose Benefit recipients to look for part time work when their youngest child turned six. Previously there was no work requirement until the youngest child turned 18 years old. Bennett also introduce a requirement for those on an Unemployment Benefit to reapply after one year. [14]

March 2010 - Bennett accepted an Eisenhower fellowship. The prestigious six week Fellowship in the United States of America was awarded to only 20 women around the world who were identified as outstanding leaders. [15]

July 2011 - Green Paper on Children launched in Auckland. The paper focusing on issues surrounding child abuse and protection of children stirred debate and was roundly condemned by opposition parties. [16] [17]

Controversies

Family gang connections

Paula Bennett has become involved in controversy since joining the Cabinet - initially because of her daughter's partner's gang affiliations and conviction for "wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm". The man, Viliami Halaholo, was paroled to Bennett's house for ten months while he awaited trial.[18] Bennett was reprimanded by Prime Minister John Key for neglecting to advise him that she had written letters in support of Halaholo during his early incarceration.[19]

In May 2009 Bennett again came under scrutiny for her support of former head of WINZ, Christine Rankin, for a position with New Zealand Families Commission after it was revealed that Rankin had married her fourth husband only weeks after his late wife's suicide.[20]

In late June 2009 Bennett asked Prime Minister, John Key, to reassign the Disability Issues portfolio so that she "could focus on the Social Development and Employment position".[21] The post was subsequently given to Minister outside Cabinet and Māori Party co-leader, Tariana Turia.

Release of private information about beneficiaries

In July 2009, Bennett released the benefit details of two beneficiaries, Natasha Fuller and Jennifer Johnston, who had criticised the Government's policy of getting rid of the Training Initiative Allowance (TIA).[22] She said she believed she had "implied consent" for the release of the information.[23]

Bennett's actions were described as "disgusting" and "beneficiary bashing" by Sue Bradford of the Green Party and "reminiscent of the days when Muldoon was in power" by Annette King of the Labour Party.[24][25] Both Fuller and Labour MP Charles Chauvel said that they would make complaints to the privacy commissioner and Schroff, respectively.[22]

The Privacy Commission have said they're investigating Paula Bennett's actions after receiving a complaint.[26]

References

  1. ^ "Ministerial List for Announcement on 17 November 2008" (PDF) (Press release). New Zealand Government. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  2. ^ Outrageous Fortune article by Ruth Laugesen in New Zealand Listener 20 June 2009 pages 16-20
  3. ^ a b c d Collins, Simon (22 November 2008). "Cabinet's new poster girl". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  4. ^ "Hon Paula Bennett – Biography". New Zealand National Party. 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  5. ^ Election results - Waitakere
  6. ^ Parliament TV, Wednesday, 1st July 2009
  7. ^ Trevitte, Clare. NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10552600. Retrieved Tuesday 20 January 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ Scott, Hammond. Marlborough Express http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/5491743/Keen-teenager-finds-work-a-buzz/. Retrieved 23.0-8-2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ Collins, Simon. NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10732017. Retrieved June 14 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ^ Norton, Hannah. Manukau Courier http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/2947495/Boost-for-charities. Retrieved 9.10.2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ TVNZ website. "Rankin appointed to Families Commission". TVNZ. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  12. ^ "Never Ever Shake a Baby advertisement". You Tube.
  13. ^ Radio NZ. "Boot Camps". RNZ. Retrieved 16 Feb 2009.
  14. ^ Kinnealy, Mellissa. "Beneficiaries Face Squeeze". Domion Post. Retrieved 22.10.2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ^ "Eisenhower Fellowship". Retrieved March 9, 2010.
  16. ^ "Children's Action Plan website". Green Paper.
  17. ^ Levy, Danya. "Child abuse review called political stunt". Dominion Post. Retrieved 25-07-2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  18. ^ Jane Phare and Rebecca Milne (Sunday, 1st February 2009). "Paula Bennett's two letters". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3rd July 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |trans_title=, |month=, and |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ Leigh van der Stoep (Tuesday, 3rd March 2009). "Bennett ticked off over letters to back gang member". The Sunday Star-Times. Retrieved 3rd July 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |trans_title=, |month=, and |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ John Armstrong (Tuesday, May 19th 2009). "Key treads with caution in deepening moral minefield". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3rd July 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ Parliament TV, Wednesday, 1st July 2009
  22. ^ a b "Privacy issues stir Bennett welfare debate". ONE News/New Zealand Press Association. Television New Zealand. 29 July 2009.
  23. ^ Trevett, Claire (28 July 2009). "Bennett: I consulted website before releasing mums' benefits". The New Zealand Herald.
  24. ^ Trevett, Claire (29 July 2009). "Minister accused of breaking privacy law". The New Zealand Herald.
  25. ^ "The double-edged sword". Business Day. Fairfax New Zealand. 28 July 2009.
  26. ^ "Privacy Commissioner confirms investigation into Paula Bennett". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax New Zealand. 11 August 2009.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Waitakere
2008- 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Disability Issues
2008–2009 		Succeeded by
Minister of Social Development and Employment
2008– 		Incumbent
Preceded by Minister of Youth Affairs
2008–

Template:Persondata

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