Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We know that the longer people remain on a benefit, the more difficult it becomes for them to re-enter the labour market, so early interventions are vital. That's why the Government invested in the wage subsidy to keep people in work, and invested an additional $150 million to increase MSD's employment and financial services as part of our COVID-19 recovery package. We've continued to invest in employment outcomes along the way, with additional funding for Flexi-wage and bespoke interventions such as Apprenticeship Boost, Mana in Mahi, and He Poutama Rangatahi. 