New Zealand Newswire

By Robyn Hunt (robyn@iecho.co.nz)
 

Disabled woman Attorney General

One of the highest-ranking appointments made by the incoming government was the new Attorney-General. First-time Member of Parliament Margaret Wilson is an amputee. Although not a disability activist - she is better known as a women's activist - she is not unsympathetic to disability issues. She is also Minister of Labor, and will be involved in human rights issues.

The Labor portfolio is particularly important as New Zealand faces a major review of the Employment Contracts Act, seen as oppressive by union groups. New legislation has already been introduced into Parliament. It includes little mention of disability, and problems which existed under the old legislation have not been addressed at this stage.
 

Disability data to be collected

The incoming Labour government has decided that the next census will again include questions on disability. This overturned an earlier decision by the previous government. In 1996, after a long struggle on the part of the disability sector, questions on disability were included in the national census, and information from that and the follow-up survey provided the first quality information on disability in New Zealand on a national basis.
 

New Government introduces new Legislation and reviews

This year looks like being a busy one for activists, with a number of changes and developments taking place. The New Zealand Standard for Access NZS4121 is currently being reviewed, with a Public Draft for Comment expected this spring. The standard has a unique place in the NZ building control system. It bridges the gap between the legal human rights and anti-discrimination legislation and the new NZ building code regulation

The incoming government has also promised a review of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotions Act, a now controversial piece of legislation introduced during the 1960's. Under the DPEP Act sheltered workshops were established with exemptions from much of the workplace law and regulations governing the rights of workers. This legislation is problematic, as it is inconsistent with the Human Rights Act 1993, which includes people with disability.

There have been several reports written about the Act, but the Sheltered Workshop lobby is strong and change has been resisted until recently. Now some of the sheltered workshop providers can see the writing on the wall and are moving towards supported employment programs. Supported employment is growing rapidly, and advocacy organizations such as DPA, the Assembly of People with Disabilities are pressing for changes to the Act, favoring supported employment as a better option.

This option is becoming more viable with ASENZ, the Association of Supported Employment New Zealand raising the profile of supported employment, establishing standards and promoting good practice.

Changes have already taken place in accident insurance and compensations. The previous government opened up the provision of accident insurance to private enterprise to create a competitive environment for the government-owned provider. The present government is in the process of reversing this. New legislation is currently going through process to become law.
 

Intellectual Disability

The Intellectual Disability Compulsory Care Bill is another piece of legislation currently before the House. This legislation has caused much concern in the disability community as it is seen to be a threat to the human rights of a small group of people perceived to be a danger to themselves or others. The danger is more a perception than a reality in the eyes of many, who consider there is already adequate provision under existing laws to deal with any difficulties.

There is still, unfortunately fear in the wider community about people with intellectual disabilities and people who have psychiatric illnesses. There is confusion in the public's mind between the two, particularly when people from either group want to move out of an institution into a community.

Another important review just announced is a review of Special Education 2000, education policies which have become increasingly controversial as parents have struggled with complex processes and resourcing inequities.