Auckland Disability Providers Network Inc.

By Sheldon Brown, member of ADPN Executive
Tariana Turia, described at the ADPN Forum in Auckland as “the Minister of the People,” gave several reassurances about disability priorities in a ‘conversation’ with disability sector leaders at Barrycourt Motel in June.

The Minister of Disability Issues called for the disability sector to consider the value of a separate Commissioner of Disability, and pledged to meet regularly with the sector in Auckland every three months.

“We have a Health and Disability Commissioner and I think we may need an independent Disability Commissioner to help the Ministerial Inquiry look at disability issues,” Tariana told the audience.

In response to questions from the forum, the Minister again raised the suggestion of an independent commissioner and added: “I haven’t floated the idea in Parliament yet.”

Tariana admitted she was relatively new to the disability sector – a sector which she described as fairly complex – and did not have any specialist disability staff assistance yet.

But she said she wasn’t satisfied that “the best of the money is being used well.

“People have the right to live in their own family settings and if it requires a family member to care for them then some of the resources should go to them. It is a very complex sector and there are some things that don’t make sense to me.

“I don’t want people to have to jump through a whole lot of hoops to get their entitlements.”

The Minister stressed strongly that she wanted the Ministerial Committee to meet to address disability issues, and “to take responsibility,” and added she didn’t want to be the Minister of anything if she “didn’t achieve things and make a difference.”

In response to a suggestion that Minister Turia was going to be the champion for people with disabilities, she declared her concerns about ‘the silo approach,’ adding that the Government planned together in other areas so she couldn’t see any reason why the Ministers couldn’t work together for the disability sector.

On the issue of workforce development, the Minister said there was much discussion around training for carer support.

“I support a pathway for carers, and we have secured some money for carer support, which will provide a developing workforce. Having a well trained workforce is critical,” the Minister said.

On the subject of contracts delivering for people with disabilities, and providing security for providers, the Minister said she was an “outcomes” person. “I want to know how the Government and the sector can work together to achieve outcomes. With outputs, the Government won’t get a sense of what is being achieved. I will be suggesting that is the way the Government should move.

“There’s been some resistance from Government agencies but I believe in the long term and in the interests of the providers, this is the way to make progress.”

Tariana Turia added outcomes can be measured, saying she could not understand why three year contracts couldn’t be granted to providers who have been in business over the long term.

“It is about trust and I’m not sure there is trust by the Government towards the sector. We can have a more sustainable workforce if we have three year contracts,” she added. “I’ve just been meeting with groups telling me today (June 26) that they haven’t had their contracts renewed for July 1, and that is outrageous.”

In response to the suggestion of a Disability Commissioner, one speaker said it was unusual for a country to not have such a commissioner.

Tarian Turia said: “The Ministerial group could become the way forward if it doesn’t become a talkfest, and could influence the Government departments.”