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Green Party – August 2009 Topical issues of benefit review was one of two Members’ bills picked in the Parliamentary Ballot today.
The Green Party sponsored bill of Sue Bradford is the Social Security (Benefit Review and Appeal Reform) Amendment Bill.
Ms Bradford’s bill aims to provide a fair process for beneficiaries to challenge Work and Income decisions.
It would replace MSD’s Benefit Review Committees with an independent judicial process based on natural justice. Claimants would get a decision within three months, and Medical Appeal Boards would be replaced by a new independent review system.
“At a time when more and more people are reliant on income support, it is more important than ever that our benefit system be fair, functional and timely,” Ms Bradford said.
“This is a great opportunity to make a change which will be helpful not just to beneficiaries and superannuitants, but also to the MSD staff who currently administer a complex system that is creaking at the seams.”
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