Ryan Bridge: We need clarity for disabled teenagers on the benefit

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · Oct 8, 2025 · 1m · transcript

This story about sick or disabled teenagers getting the benefit doesn’t make any sense.

The Government wants to cut the dole for teenagers whose parents earn $65k plus - okay.

Their justification? If poor old mum and dad have to cover their living costs, said teenagers will go find a job.

Okay, fine. That’s about 4000-odd 18–19-year-olds.

But here’s where it gets complicated.

It turns out around half that number are getting the benefit not because they can’t find work, but because they can’t work.

Like physically. Have a look on the WINZ website, it lays out the criteria.

You have to prove…