Photo: Marika Khabazi
Newly released advice shows officials urged the government against its welfare crackdown on 18-and-19-year-olds, warning it could actually increase the risk of long-term benefit dependency.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) also said the tightened eligibility could incentivise teenage pregnancies and keep abuse victims financially reliant on their abusive parents.
In a statement, Social Development Minister Louise Upston acknowledged the "free and frank" advice but said she did not necessarily agree with all of it.
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