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Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill (Consistent) [2020] NZBORARp 49 (16 July 2020)

Last Updated: 1 January 2021

16 July 2020

LEGAL ADVICE

LPA 01 01 24

Hon David Parker, Attorney-General

Consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990: Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill

1. We have considered whether the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill (‘the Bill’) is consistent with the rights and freedoms affirmed in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (‘the Bill of Rights Act’).
2. The Bill amends the Social Security Act 2018, expanding eligibility to the unsupported child’s benefit and the orphan’s benefit. The Bill does this by removing the requirement that the applicant for these benefits be the child’s principal caregiver for a period of at least one year, enabling those who care for unsupported children over a shorter duration to receive support. The Bill also ensures that recipients of these benefits can access a Christmas and birthday allowance to support the child in their care.
3. The Bill is consistent with the rights and freedoms affirmed in the Bill of Rights Act.
   

Jeff Orr

Chief Legal Counsel Office of Legal Counsel