Inquiry Response Derisory

Disabled Persons Assembly - Media Release

DPA, the national organisation of disabled people, has slammed the government’s response to a select committee report about disability services as “absolutely pathetic”.

CEO Gary Williams says “Creating another Cabinet Committee, with no expertise on disabled people’s issues, is not going to help.”

The inquiry gave recommendations for concrete action on rights and leadership by disabled people, and that’s badly needed for New Zealand’s largest minority. But the response just ignores what disabled people said. 

If this was a genuine attempt by the National Party, who initiated the inquiry, to do something concrete and tangible now is the time.  Otherwise we are all the victims of a cruel political hoax.

This does nothing to either support or implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities either. New Zealand was a world leader in getting the convention, and now the new government seems to be sitting on its hands about disability rights-not a good look” he says.

President Wendy Neilson is concerned that cross-party work on the select committee has been put aside. “All political parties worked hard to make this report, and they got a lot of input from disabled people about what was needed.  The genuine engagement of disabled people has been dismissed. 

It would be better for the government to listen to the spirit of partnership and the practical suggestions in the report rather than being dismissive.

She also points out ”the time for committees and talking about the problems are long gone. Action is the magic word.”

Gary Williams has a final suggestion - let disabled people lead on this and have the politicians do other things. “We’ll all lead better lives” he says.