Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

PSA disturbed by dismal handling of funding issues

PSA disturbed by dismal handling of funding issues for disability support services


New revelations today that the Ministry of Health has been blocked from making major cuts in funding for disability support services are a disturbing symptom of longstanding underfunding of the disability sector says the Public Service Association (PSA).

"Information obtained by the New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN) about intended cuts reveals a disturbing level of disregard for the careful management of disability support services funds and seriously dents confidence in the Ministry of Health," says PSA national secretary Kerry Davies.

"If the cuts had proceeded the situation of historic underfunding in this sector would have worsened. It really does beg the question about how thoroughly the Ministry has been briefing the Government about the funding needs of the sector, or whether it has simply had its head in the sand.

"Alongside sector organisations like NZDSN, the PSA has serious concerns about how DSS funds are being managed now and into the future. We are now advocating for serious scrutiny of the Ministry’s performance and their poor management of funds.

"It is time now - with the 2019 Budget just around the corner - for this Government to address the historic lag in funding, to take steps to tidy up the current mess and to deliver a strong reassurance to disabled people and workers in the sector that funded services are safe and that this dismal handling of funding issues will not be repeated".


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.