Paul Hutchison MP
National Party Disability Issues Spokesman
09 January 2008
Win for disabled despite Government
National Party Disability Issues spokesman Paul Hutchison is thrilled a group of Marlborough people have saved a garden
centre at risk of being lost due to flawed Government legislation.
The Disabled Persons in Employment Act was repealed by Labour late last year so disabled people could receive the
minimum wage.
“There has been concern about the impractical way the Government implemented the repeal which put hundreds of disabled
people out of a job,” says Dr Hutchison.
“But a group of Marlborough people have refused to be hamstrung by the legislation and have set up a charitable trust
with IHC who own the land that the garden centre is on.
“The deal results in a win-win where IHC receives more than $1.5 million for the land and the garden centre moves closer
to town, giving disabled people a choice of where to work.
“it's a great sign when New Zealanders band together for an important local cause and refuse to let impractical
Government legislation get in the way.”
ENDS