This debate will cover the subject of social development and employment with the Minister, the Hon Carmel Sepuloni. As part of Budget 2019, we heard that the Government invested $1.3 billion into the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) over four years, having built on the $5.5 billion Families Package. There are approximately 8,000 staff at the MSD, who, in a typical year, provide direct support to between 1 million to 1.5 million New Zealanders and their families. There are approximately 180 offices across New Zealand. We heard main benefits are now indexed to average wage growth, abatement settings were changed, and section 192 of the Social Security Act was repealed. 