Disability Sector Opposition to the Disability Support Services Bill
The Disability Support Services Bill could shape the future of disability support in Aotearoa New Zealand for many years. It affects disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, carers, families, whānau and the organisations that provide disability support.
Disability organisations have published submissions, statements and analysis raising serious concerns about the Bill. This page brings those official responses together so that disabled people, voters, journalists, policymakers and the wider public can read the organisations’ own words.
Why Disability Organisations Are Speaking Out
Concerns raised across the disability sector include disability rights, consultation, family-carer responsibilities, access to essential support, ministerial decision-making powers, funding restrictions and whether disabled people will retain genuine choice and control over their lives.
A Bill With Far-Reaching Consequences
While establishing a clear legal foundation for disability support services could be positive, many organisations believe the Bill in its current form does not provide adequate protection for disabled people and their families.
There has also been strong criticism of the speed of the parliamentary process and the limited opportunity provided for disabled people to understand the Bill, access alternative formats, prepare submissions and participate meaningfully.
Official Disability Organisation Statements and Submissions
Select any organisation below to read its official response. External links open in a new browser tab.
CCS Disability Action
Official analysis and submissionCCS Disability Action explains its concerns about family responsibility, possible means testing, reduced parliamentary scrutiny, family carers and the effect the Bill could have on disabled people and whānau.
Read the CCS Disability Action StatementHuman Rights Commission
Official rights-based responseTe Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission warns that the Bill threatens the rights of disabled people, tāngata whaikaha, families and whānau and calls for a fairer, rights-based approach.
Read the Human Rights Commission StatementDisabled Persons Assembly NZ
Official submission opposing the BillDisabled Persons Assembly NZ has made a formal submission opposing the Disability Support Services Bill and has called for the rushed progress of the legislation to be halted.
Read the DPA SubmissionPeople First New Zealand
Joint national disability statementPeople First NZ joined other national disability, carer and provider organisations in expressing serious concern about the Bill and the limited opportunity for disabled people and families to have a fair say.
Read the People First Joint StatementNew Zealand Disability Support Network
Official sector statementNZDSN says the shortened select committee process was not accessible and did not provide disabled people, whānau and disability providers with enough time to participate meaningfully.
Read the NZDSN StatementBlind Low Vision NZ
Official organisational submissionBlind Low Vision NZ argues that disability support legislation should enable full and equal participation rather than focus primarily on managing funding constraints and financial liability.
Read the Blind Low Vision NZ SubmissionCarers New Zealand
Official carer-sector responseCarers NZ has raised concerns about the implications of the Bill for family carers, including provisions that could place greater responsibilities and expectations on families and whānau.
Read the Carers NZ ResponseDisability Organisations Speaking Together
A joint sector statement brought together organisations representing disabled people, carers, families, whānau and disability support providers. The statement argued that Parliament should not make decisions of this importance without giving the affected communities a fair and accessible opportunity to participate.
Organisations Named in the Joint Statement
- New Zealand Disability Support Network
- Disabled Persons Assembly New Zealand
- People First New Zealand
- Carers New Zealand
- Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand
- CCS Disability Action
- Home and Community Health Association
- Complex Care Group
Official Government and Parliamentary Information
Inclusive World encourages readers to examine both the Government’s explanation of the Bill and the concerns raised by disability organisations. The links below provide access to official Government and parliamentary information.
Community Opinions and Lived Experience
Official organisational submissions are only part of the story. Inclusive World is also publishing opinions from disabled people, carers, families, whānau, advocates and people with professional or lived experience.
Read Published Community Opinions