Labour

Labour’s spokesperson for Disabilities Issues Carmel Sepuloni says she is pleased to be hosting tonight’s first cross-party briefing addressing challenges and future prospects for people living with autism in New Zealand.

A crisis in funding for people with autism and their families again raises serious questions about the priorities of the National-led government, according to Labour’s Spokesperson for Health, Grant Robertson, and the party’s Disability Issues spokesperson, Carmel Sepuloni.

The pending closure of special needs units in Waitakere has raised concerns that learners with disabilities will be forced into mainstream learning environments against their best interests, says Labour’s Disabilities Issues spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni.

The Government’s decision not to include Disabilities Minister Tariana Turia on its own Ministerial working group examining recommendations from the Welfare Working Group is a joke, says Labour’s spokesperson for Disabilities Issues Carmel Sepuloni.

Labour secured a small victory for the disability sector when an amendment by the party’s former Disability Issues spokesperson Ruth Dyson to the new Canterbury Earthquake Recovery legislation was agreed to in Parliament.

The potential loss of jobs for people with disabilities who make ANZAC poppies is a real setback, says Lynne Pillay Labour Spokesperson for Disability Issues.

“The ANZAC poppy is recognised throughout New Zealand as a Kiwi icon and has a special meaning for New Zealanders,” Lynne Pillay said.

Rimutaka MP Chris Hipkins took time today to draw attention to the many services available for disabled people in the Rimutaka electorate.

Chris Hipkins visited Riding for the Disabled, a horse-riding facility in Silverstream. The visit closely followed International Day of Disabled Persons last Friday.

Labour congratulates the winners and finalists from last night’s annual Attitude Awards ,say Labour disability issues spokesperson Lynne Pillay and former Minister for Disabilities Issue Ruth Dyson.

The Government’s announcement today that sharing costs between ACC and workers is somehow fairer is just spin, says Labour’s Disability spokesperson Lynne Pillay.

The decision by the Government to create the position of full-time Disability Rights Commissioner is being welcomed by Labour’s Disability Issues Spokesperson Lynne Pillay.

“It’s about time the National-led Government walked the talk on disability issues,” said Lynne Pillay.