-
Watch Video
-
Related
The Labour Party intends to lay a complaint with the privacy commissioner against Social Development Minister Paula Bennett for releasing income details of two beneficiaries.
Bennett released the income details of solo mothers Jennifer Johnston and Natasha Fuller after they publicly criticised the Government's decision to scrap the training incentive allowance (TIA).
Fuller received $715 net a week and Johnston $554, Bennett's office says.
Justifying the unusual action - government ministers seldom comment on individual cases - Bennett said she did it to round up a one-sided story. She felt the women were misleading the public by releasing "selective information".
"I think most New Zealanders will see that actually they've been given a real fair go."
While she had not sought the women's permission she felt they had taken the matter public by talking to the news media and writing on the internet.
Bennett based her decision on guidelines on the Privacy Commission website but in Parliament she revealed she not sought legal or officials' advice.
Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff, in response to media queries, said ministers and departments needed to consider the Privacy Act when they released personal information.
Labour Party MP Charles Chauvel said he would lay a complaint.
Shroff did not say whether she believed a breach had occurred, but would consider any complaint made.
"When an issue is raised publicly, it will often require the minister to make a careful judgment about how far he or she can go in response," Shroff says.
Considering a complaint she would look at "whether the person involved had authorised a minister to talk about their case publicly, or whether their authorisation can be inferred from their statements in going public with their case".
Another consideration was whether disclosing the information directly related to the purposes for which the information was obtained.
Prime Minister John Key told reporters he was "comfortable" with the women's information being released and accepted Bennett's justification.
Labour has accused Bennett of using bullying Muldoon-style tactics to silence welfare policy critics.
Labour deputy leader Annette King says beneficiaries had the same rights as others and the women's concerns about training were unrelated to benefits to help them raise their kids.
Facing questioning from Chauvel in Parliament, Bennett said she had not sought any advice other than checking the website.
Chauvel said it was disturbing Bennett had not done that before releasing personal information which he said was invasive and unnecessary.
"The minister's decision was clearly not taken in good faith and I believe it breaches several of the Information Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act.
"Even the most basic taking of advice from officials or a lawyer would have made this clear to the minister."
Chauvel said Bennett's actions were "an attempt to intimidate and silence people who are disappointed the minister has allowed access to the Training Incentive Allowance for sole parents - which she herself used - to be severely curtailed".
He questioned her judgement.
Chauvel, in Parliament, also suggested Bennett may have got her facts wrong about what benefits the women got, asking her if she checked information provided about payments under the Child Support Act was right.
Bennett said she had relied on her ministry.
"I can't present information that I do not have."
Bennett confirmed she had received the TIA when a beneficiary.
"I have never made a secret of the fact I have been on and off the benefit and that I did receive the TIA.
"What I can tell those people who are looking at tertiary study is that it's not going to be easy but if they back themselves, and this Government is backing them as well, then they can get off the benefit. They may even end up a cabinet minister."
Do you think Paula Bennett has gone too far in revealing these details? Or is it fair enough? Have your say on our message board below:
Add a Comment:
Post new commentMerca said on 2009-08-19 @ 21:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think you are wrong, allot of women on the DPB want to get into work, and yes it's a shame that the TIA is cut to help them out.
Merca said on 2009-08-19 @ 21:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
You would find that most people would of been financially stable before they broke up. I have never meet a DPB receiver that decides to have kids when they are not financially stable. You should try to stop assuming things and accidents do happen too, after all we are all human are we not?
ManuJ said on 2009-08-17 @ 22:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think the majority of people believe that the DPB is a carrer choice and milk the system for all its worth without any thought of a career. Many actually lose their ambitions to create an independant future for themselves and have more babies while receiving the DPB. The govt should put a clause into the policy for those who want the Training Allowance. Agree to pay all the expenses and if the applicant agrees to this, they forefit their right to the DPB in the future.
santa0007 said on 2009-08-17 @ 17:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
Privacy is not possible in New Zealand,The current MP,s are not qualified to even view any info relating to any subject unless they are "qualified",we all vote for.......strangers based on how well they look/dance/rich/poor but not on there qualifications. There CV and position dictates authority and expectations of many things but postulation of harm to others by an MP is not correct behaviour.How many people have been turned away from a food parcel or access to water & housing.
tofel1 said on 2009-08-01 @ 11:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
It is unfair for people who is working to pay for other people's mistake. I am working hard and do extra hours to save money for my child's expense. If these solo mother can't pay for their living and the children's living costs, they should not have children at the first place. It is unfair the the children and tax payers. They are the parasites in the society.