We all know the Greek myth about Sisyphus, condemned to roll his boulder endlessly uphill, only to watch it tumble down each time he nears the summit. It comes to mind when I look at Louise Upston, the minister responsible for welfare (or “social development” as we call it in New Zealand).

Few people have a soft spot for any minister of welfare. Almost by definition, they have only enemies. Reformers are attacked by the Right for being too slow and lenient, while the Left call them heartless ideologues. Bleeding-hearts get the same criticism in reverse.

To read the full article on the Quandrant website, click here.