National has no commitment to disabled NZers

National has no commitment to disabled New Zealanders

Alliance Party Media Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday 1 July 2009

The Alliance Party says Disabilities Minister Paula Bennett abandoning her post shows the lack of commitment of the National Government to disabled New Zealanders.

Alliance Disabilities Spokesperson Chris Ford says that Bennett asking to be “relieved” of her portfolio shows that disability issues are at the bottom of the heap as far as National is concerned.

Mr Ford says the claim that Ms Bennett was concentrating on employment issues was nonsense, as the National Government had no plan to deal with unemployment, and the only job she would now have to do is read the paper for the latest closures and cuts.

“Ms Bennett has done little in her time as Minister of Disability Issues. Ms Bennett's main commitment is to advancing her own career, and obviously disability issues weren't part of her plan for self- promotion."

Mr Ford says National's cabinet disability issues sub-committee seems to be about cutting spending on disability support services and on supplementary assistance that benefits disabled people, amongst other disadvantaged groups.

"This is shown by their recent decisions to axe the Training Incentive Allowance and the cutting of physiotherapy services for children who attend mainstream schools."

The handing over of the Disability Issues portfolio to Tariana Turia, a minister outside of cabinet who has signalled her intentions to retire at the next election, is a clear indication of National's lack of interest in working with disabled people.

“National have neglected the disability area as they do not value disabled New Zealanders, who are marginalized in our society both socially and economically."

Mr Ford urged disabled voters, their families/whanau and those who worked within the disability sector to think about how to strategically wield their party vote at the next election.

He says the only way to assure a truly progressive, centre-left government was to vote for the Alliance Party.

“By voting Alliance, people can be assured that we will act as the true conscience and voice in Parliament of disabled people and their families who have had their needs neglected by both this and preceding governments."

ENDS

© Scoop Media