Some upsides —and downsides— in the Government's new sanction system for beneficiaries. 

The Government's increasing how often beneficiaries need to re-apply, and introducing new essential payment cards for those who fail to meet their obligations.  

Former Welfare Expert Advisory Group member Phil O'Reilly says the new sanctions avoid causing harm to beneficiaries' children. 

But, he told Mike Hosking, the Government should also think about helping people build work-ready skills – something the previous Government did well.  

He says getting people a drivers licence and Site Safe certificate so they can get a job in construction for instance, is an important part of moving people off welfare. 

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