One expert has noticed a subset of voters hasn't reacted positively to the Government's plan to reduce the number of beneficiaries.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon today revealed a planned return to a more strict regime of sanctions for those on the unemployment benefit.

NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan observed the younger members of the press gallery seemed shocked by these changes.

She says it's been a while since conservative ideas held power- it's been decades since sanctions were in place.

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