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Luxon Announces 10,000 Jobseeker Drug Tests, Cuts Benefits

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 3:27 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

National Party leader Christopher Luxon announced random drug testing for Jobseeker beneficiaries.
The scheme will conduct 10,000 tests in its first year.
It is expected to cost about $1.5 million annually from MSD baselines.
From April 2028, Jobseeker payments will be cut by $81.76 weekly for childless couples.
Labour’s Kieran McAnulty called the drug-testing plan ‘frankly rubbish’ and offensive.

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Story summary

National Party leader Christopher Luxon announced random drug testing for Jobseeker beneficiaries.
The scheme will conduct 10,000 tests in its first year.
It is expected to cost about $1.5 million annually from MSD baselines.
From April 2028, Jobseeker payments will be cut by $81.76 weekly for childless couples.
Labour’s Kieran McAnulty called the drug-testing plan ‘frankly rubbish’ and offensive.