National's social development spokesperson says drugs are preventing jobseekers getting off the benefit.

The party's promising to randomly drug test people on the Jobseeker benefit, doing 10,000 in the first year. 

Louise Upston says the number of tests would expand depending on how many beneficiaries test positive.

She says it's about getting them work ready. 

"Employers will say they're really keen to take people on, but some of the people that they are presented with can't pass a drug test. And so they can't employ them." 

LISTEN ABOVE

National's social development spokesperson says drugs are preventing jobseekers getting off the benefit.
The party's promising to randomly drug test people on the Jobseeker benefit, doing 10,000 in the first year.&nbsp;
Louise Upston says the number of tests would expand depending on how many beneficiaries test positive.
She says it's about getting them work ready.&nbsp;
"Employers will say they're really keen to take people on, but some of the people that they are presented with can't pass a drug test. And so they can't employ them."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Louise Upston: National's social development spokesperson on the party's pledge to drug test beneficiaries

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/825a5809-078e-45fa-aa49-b4dd00526315/transcript