4 May 2009
Media Statement

National’s Disability Policy One Big Empty Space

After six months in Government, National's policy on disability issues is non-existent.

"I am appalled at the resounding silence and lack of action from the National Government to the disability sector,” says Lynne Pillay, Labour Spokesperson on Disability Issues.

"The National Party Web page for disability policy is a blank sheet – this sums up National's commitment to disabled people in New Zealand.

“In February I shared the widely held concerns at the Government’s lack lustre response to the recommendations of the Social Select Committee about improving support and services for disabled people,” said Ms Pillay.

The recommendations from the Select Committee included appointing a lead agency, establishing a national plan of action, providing a career path and skills based pay system for the workforce and an investigation of the appointment of an independent Disability Commissioner.

"These great recommendations, which would have made a real difference, were ignored and yet another Ministerial Committee was to be formed. National's refusal to even consider a Disability Commission was a flip-flop on their pre-election promise to investigate just that,” said Ms Pillay.

"People with disabilities don’t need Ministers hiding behind the formation of a committee, they need action. National's inaction is an insult to people with disabilities and makes a mockery of the Disability Strategy and New Zealand’s ratification of the Convention of the Rights of Disabled People," said Ms Pillay.

ENDS

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