Note: This story first ran on Thursday May 3
There has been a feisty exchange in Parliament today between Winston Peters and Paula Bennett over whether or not beneficiaries should be drug-tested as a means test to receive the benefit.
With the Prime Minister and Simon Bridges both absent from the House during Question Time, National's deputy leader asked the Deputy Prime Minister if beneficiaries should be drug free.
"The policies we're working on don't have that harsh provision, if someone is not drug free, it doesn't mean they're beyond redemption, that serious programmes cannot turn their lives around," Mr Peters shot back.
"We see the positive side of sound social policy, not the harsh, stringent side of right wing arrogance," he continued.
Ms Bennett didn't follow up on the issue after the comments and moved on to ask about other issues around beneficiary recipients.
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