Media Statement
For Immediate Release

22 March 2007

DPA hails the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act

A major national umbrella organisation representing disabled people is hailing the repeal of the misnamed Disabled Persons Employment Promotion (DPEP) Act.

“The repeal of the DPEP Act represents the end of nearly fifty years of legalized discrimination against disabled people,” says Mike Gourley, President of the Disabled Persons Assembly – DPA.

“Until now, basic rights such as minimum wages and holidays were denied to those who were in sheltered workshops. Any money paid to workers or time off was at the discretion of workshop bosses. The assumption was that disabled people’s work was inherently worth less.”

“Thankfully that day has finally passed. We have been working towards one employment law for all. We are thrilled to have achieved it” Mr Gourley says.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On The New Government’s Policies Of Yesteryear

Winston Peters is routinely described as the kingmaker who decides whether the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded, but equally important role as the scapegoat who can be blamed for killing taxes that his senior partners never much wanted in the first place. Neither Ardern nor Robertson for example, really wanted a capital gains tax, for fear of Labour copping the “tax and spend“ label they ended up being saddled with anyway. Usefully though, they could tell the party faithful it was wicked old Winston who killed the CGT. More