Phil O'Reilly: Former Welfare Expert Advisory Panel Member on new benefit sanctions in place from today

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · May 25, 2025 · 3m · transcript

A view that new sanctions for beneficiaries failing to meet jobseeker obligations, are "sensible."

The changes, as part of the Government's traffic light system, are being rolled out today.

It includes money management - which puts half of someone's benefit onto a payment card, that can only be used at approved stores for four weeks.

Former Welfare Expert Advisory Panel Member, Phil O'Reilly told Ryan Bridge sanctions encourage people to get off a benefit.

He says they also keep taxpayers' faith in the system too.

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