Annette King.

MP for Rongotai
Deputy Leader

MEDIA STATEMENT

21 July 2016

Labour supports Spencer victory

Labour congratulates Margaret Spencer for her tireless efforts in challenging the Government over family carer rights, says Labour’s Deputy Leader Annette King.

“Margaret Spencer fought to have her constant care of Paul, her 47 year old son with Downs Syndrome, to be recognised and duly paid for by the Government.

“Yesterday’s judgement by the High Court, which ordered payment for losses as a result of this discrimination by the Government against family carers, paves the way for other families to seek compensation for their losses.

“National used their unfair and obnoxious legislation to take away the rights for families to get compensation in 2013 and Labour has pledged to repeal this.

“These are family members who have spent their lives providing full-time disability support services for their children.

“Even now under the Government’s new Funded Family Care policy, families struggle or have even given up altogether trying to access payments because of the mindless bureaucracy the Government set up for family members to access payments.

“We acknowledge Margaret Spencer’s hard work and dedication and urge the Government to end discrimination against family carers,” says Annette King.

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