Posts by Hilary Stace
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to giovanni tiso,
The issues won't be going away. I'm pleased they chose something disability-related for the Q and A forum, and the call for a Disability Ministry goes back several decades.
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To be fair, the development of the full question was a collective effort (merely submitted by me). The short snappy part of the question chosen for the candidates to answer is, however, a good revealer of attitudes and understanding.
If anyone is interested here is the full question.
Under your leadership would a Labour-led Government commit to:
a) Repealing the NZ Public Health and Disability Amendment Act (No 2) 2013?
b) Demedicalising disability support services by creating a new Ministry for Disability Issues with a high-ranked minister in cabinet and a CE committed to the social model of disability and, preferably, lived experience of disability?
c) Addressing the discrimination against certain impairment groups (such as adults with Aspergers) which means they are unable to access support through the current MoH’s NASC system?
d) Actively encouraging disabled people onto winnable places in the party list? -
Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Hebe,
I wrote this after the Wellington meeting and haven't changed my opinion
the roadshow and leadership election seem to be incredibly well organised, and the venues packed – as well as staying generally good humoured. Quite an achievement and one which augurs well for the left.
Part of me doesn't care about any of this. But then I consider the demise of the School Journal, or the 75th anniversary this week of the 1938 Social Security Act which set up the welfare state, and I am reminded how much NZ has strayed from some basic human-centred ideals of equity and justice. Then I really care about having a strong and unified political left.
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Keir Leslie,
It seems bizarre to me that Ruth Dyson's record as Minister for Disability Issues needs to be defended. I lived through that era and I observed Ruth's hard work and dedication to the sector. Just some examples (for historic accountability purposes), NZ Disability Strategy ensures government policy is underpinned for the first time by the social model of disability, closure of last institution (Kimberley), closure of exploitative sheltered workshops, NZ Sign Language became an official language, development of carers strategy, significant input and leadership by NZ into UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and NZ won the International Roosevelt Disability award for leadership on disability issues. Lots more to do but that is a pretty good record.
I suggest keeping away from The Standard at the moment. There are some quite appalling ageist, sexist and homophobic comments, and a pretty uncompromising tone.
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Most of the Wellington seats, particularly Wellington Central, are far from safe. Not long since it was held by National (Pauline Gardner) and Act (Richard Prebble). The latter was defeated by Marian Hobbs with some superb organisation and hard work. Grant has followed the same trend. In many ways it is a lot like Epsom. Some very wealthy areas and lots of decile 10 schools. Many of the other Wellington seats are potentially marginal, but stay Labour with good electorate organisation and hard work. Ohariu is ripe for winning with the right candidate.
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I've probably mentioned it before but I think there is a strong Auckland versus the rest of NZ thing going on in this leadership contest, with all things Wellington seen as particularly negative. Not sure why as most of Wellington electorates (apart from Ohariu) are Labour seats.
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There is something Norman Kirk-ish about Grant Robertson – the youthful, lesser well-known Kirk (although of course a much more socially liberal one). Grant has been referring to Kirk a lot in the current roadshow, and adapting Kirk’s description of Maslov’s hierarchy of needs into his own words (as in this quote from the Standard).
Norman Kirk said that New Zealanders want a job to do, a home to live in, someone to love, and something to hope for. That has always resonated with me and I want to give it a modern voice. A job, a home, a family and a future. That is what Labour can bring to every New Zealander. A sense of hope and opportunity.
But when doing his formal speech last night there were moments when he really did look and sound like Kirk, which was quite weird.
By the way the roadshow and leadership election seem to be incredibly well organised, and the venues packed – as well as staying generally good humoured. Quite an achievement and one which augurs well for the left.
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I generally like Trevor (we were in the same year at school but he was sporty not political then and our paths didn't cross much). He is very upfront about things, although sometimes blunt. Was good on environmental stuff in the 80s when it wasn't that fashionable. As minister he always had an open door and fronted on his decisions (unlike the situation now when you need to pay a PR person to get an appointment with a minister, and ministers are often unavailable for comment in the media). I think he will be an excellent and fair Speaker.
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Sacha,
Sacha, have you seen this good blog post on the Hardship Olympics? (Disability related)
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Russell Brown,
On the rare occasions I have done work paid for by a ministry it is very clear. Food is covered, but never alcohol.