Church body calls for justice, inclusiveness in disability bill

In a submission to Parliament’s Social Services and Community Select Committee on the Disability Support Services Bill, the Commission called for a system that is not only efficient, but “just, humane and entirely inclusive”.

The Bill aims to set up a formal framework for disability funding, through the Ministry of Social Development rather than the Ministry of Health, and ensure its fiscal sustainability going forward, Radio New Zealand reported.

The Bill responds to a Supreme Court judgment regarding paid family care by clarifying employment relationships and containing measures to manage Crown fiscal and litigation risks.

According to analysis from the Ministry of Justice, the Bill would mean “families, whanau and other culturally recognised family groups, where appropriate, have responsibility in the first instance for the wellbeing of their members and that before accessing DSS-funded disability support, an eligible person should, where appropriate, use their resources and any other support that is available to them, including from their family, whanau and broader social networks”.

The Justice and Peace Commission submission expressed concern that “eligibility criteria will become overly restrictive or primarily cost-driven”.

From a Catholic Social Teaching perspective, limiting access risks undermining the preferential option for the vulnerable, the submission stated.

“From a Tiriti perspective, such limitations will disproportionately affect Māori. Unacceptably, half a million people with disabilities in Aotearoa have unmet needs in daily life, including 245,000 people lacking access to needed health professionals.”

The submission recommended transparent and equitable eligibility criteria, safeguards to prevent exclusion of those with high, complex needs or multiple diagnoses and disorders, and mechanisms to monitor equity of access, particularly for Tāngata Whaikaha Māori.

Disability Support Services stressed that the Bill does not change anyone’s current supports, funding or eligibility, establish new obligations on families or introduce asset or income testing.

The Bill’s explanatory note stated that the Bill is the first phase of providing a legislative framework for DSS. “A further phase is envisioned that will address things such as safeguarding, information gathering and appeals and complaints processes.”

The Justice and Peace Commission welcomed provisions for oversight and accountability, but recommended refining both.

“Respect for human dignity requires robust protection against neglect, abuse, ignorance, inconsistency and systemic failure. We recommend independent monitoring mechanisms, clear and accessible complaints processes and transparency in decision-making and funding allocation.

“We acknowledge the importance of sustainable funding and system integrity. However, sustainability must not override human dignity or equity,” the Commission added.

FULL STORY

Microsoft Word – Letterhead Disability Support Services Bill 2026 (Justice and Peace Commission/Catholic Diocese of Auckland)

Disability Support Services Bill (NZ Legislation)

Disability advocates call for drastic changes to support services bill (Radio New Zealand)

Disability Support Services Bill (Disability Support Services)