Barbara Stewart MP
Spokesperson for Disability Issues

17 May 2013

Law Discriminates Against Disabled Adults and Family

New Zealand First is disappointed at the Government sneaking through a piece of legislation, which will breach the rights of disabled adults and their family members.

“They should be ashamed of themselves,” says Disability Issues spokesperson, Barbara Stewart.

“Not only did they write a bill with many glaring and complex issues, but they pushed it through the House under urgency overnight without proper briefings for Members of Parliament, or any public consultation.”

Mrs Stewart says the bill will see family members paid a minimum wage, less than half that of private carers.

“How could anyone support the notion of a loving family carer being paid less than a carer who does not know the complex needs of the person with the disability?”

“The $96m over four years equates to a pitiful $14,000 per qualifying family per year.

“This is a drip in a bucket when you consider the time and sacrifices these family members willingly make for their loved one.

“We are most concerned about the prevention of any future claims of discrimination being made to the Human Rights Commission.

“This simply sets the stage for more discrimination with no avenue for justice,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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