Lynne Pillay MP
Disability Issues Spokesperson
30 June 2009
Media Statement
Minister drops Disability Issues
Paula Bennett’s announcement today that she has dropped her Disability Issues delegation is a belated recognition that
she was never up to speed with the portfolio, Lynne Pillay, Labour Spokesperson on Disability Issues says.
“Paula Bennett’s decision underlines both her inability to understand the issues and her lack of commitment to the
people and the sector,” Ms Pillay said.
“For the first six months of this Government there was not a peep out of Ms Bennett.
“Then finally this month she announced a ministers’ group to oversee policy – an announcement that was greeted with
great scepticism by the Disabled Person’s Assembly (DPA) – which said the committee was nothing more than window
dressing.
“The DPA said it was concerned that Ms Bennett would not engage with them to discuss issues facing disabled people.”
Ms Pillay said today’s announcement represented a worrying development for the sector. The new Minister Tariana Turia is
outside Cabinet, and this is the first time the portfolio has not had a front seat at Government’s table.
“Disabled people have been seriously disadvantaged by the National government’s slash and burn approach,” Ms Pillay
said.
“We now have a Minister outside of Cabinet chairing the Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues. That sums up exactly
how the National government values disabled people.”
ENDS
Attached: Disabled Person’s Assembly article