Submissions

DPA opposes the Disability Support Services Bill and asks that the Bill be withdrawn and re-written. 

 Recommendations 

 A re-written DSS Bill must recognise and embed: 

• The UNCRPD; 

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi; and 

• Enabling Good Lives principles 

This bill currently fails to uphold all of these. As well as an explicit objects clause referencing these documents, there needs to be a requirement that that all ministerial decisions on DSS are made in alignment with these rights and obligations, and in reference to these principles. 

DPA also opposed the Bill on the grounds that it: 

• Makes receiving DSS conditional on requirement that disabled people make all efforts to find support from families, whānau and communities first before turning to government. 

• Strips away employment protections and rights for family carers of disabled people. 

• Enables the Minister for Social Development to introduce means and asset testing for all DSS services. 

• Has no complaint or review mechanisms for DSS. 

• Is a badly flawed and drafted bill, which has been rushed through without any prior consultation with disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs).