New money to help long-term sick youth get jobs
In more budget news, the government wants to earmark more money to help young people with so-called "activity compensation" benefits to get into the job market.
The benefit was originally intended for those who, due to illness, cannot get a job and will probably not be able to support themselves. Seventy-five percent of those currently claiming the money between the ages of 19 and 29 have some kind of mental health issue.
To help them get a job the government says it will now spend a total of just over US$85 million to give them more support in the workplace. It also wants make it easier for them to get a job, or start further education, without the risk of losing the benefit.
