Social Security Bill Introduced

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32274, 17 April 1970, Page 14

Social Security Bill Introduced

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 16.

Legislative effect to recent increases in Social Security benefits is given by the Social Security Amendment Bill which was introduced into Parliament today by the Minister of Social Security (Mr McKay).

The bill was given its first reading after Opposition speakers had repeated charges made earlier in respect of

war pensions that the increases granted—generally 50c a week for single beneficiaries—were inadequate. Opposition speakers were led by Mr N. J. King (Lab., Birkenhead). Besides giving legislative effect to recently-announced increases in benefits, the Bill also amends the original act to allow the Magistrate’s Court to vary “consent” orders of maintenance, whether or not changed circumstances can be shown since the date of agreement. However, the Bill also provides that before varying an order or agreement, the Court must have regard to such factors as the means of the husband paying maintenance. The Bill also amends the definition of “specialist medical services” and makes it clear that benefits at the lower general level—not the high rate of specialist benefit payable when a patient is referred by another general practitioner are payable when a patient consults a specialist on her own accord. The Parliamentary Undersecretary to the Minister of Education (Mr Gair) said that the Bill made sure that the situation of Social Security beneficiaries was kept in line with the general position of the rest of the community.