Payment for Carers: What do you think? |
Dear family carers and friends,
Last month the Government announced its long-awaited policy in relation to payment for family carers. It has allocated $23 million a year to pay minimum wage for up to 40 hours a week for approximately 1,600 parents supporting high needs adult disabled children.
Soon after this announcement government passed, under urgency, the Public Health and Disability Act, which prevents other carers (spouses, or those supporting disabled children or older people) from legally challenging the policy.
While an opportunity to discuss extending the payment to other categories of carers is on offer, the policy and accompanying legislation has offended carers, disability and human rights advocates, the Law Society, and the wider legal fraternity. Offering carers the minimum wage for the often intensive support they provide has also dismayed carers and those who value their efforts. Details about how the policy will be administered and who will qualify for payment have yet to be announced; Carers NZ and the Carers Alliance have not been asked for input.
This week a new case is being heard in the High Court, taken by carer Margaret Spencer, who supports her 44 year old disabled son Paul. The Ministry of Health has refused to pay Margaret and she is seeking a judicial review of its decision. Her case was lodged, and can thus be heard, before the Government's new Act was passed. Follow these media links for the latest news about Margaret's case and the payment issue:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sole-caregiver-takes-legal-action-video-5474991
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10892534
http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/family-carers-continuing-fight-respect-video-5475453
The carer movement is asking opposition political parties how they would ensure a fairer approach to paying carers if they are in government, and to commit to repealing the legislation.
Meanwhile, we want to ensure a collective response from carers and their supporters to the new policy and the Act.
Please spend a few minutes sharing your views so we can provide united feedback to government, society, and the media. Your response can be anonymous, or provide contact details if you would like to be kept informed about developments about the payment issue. We are also seeking carers who would be willing to be interviewed; if so, please provide your details as requested at the end of the survey.
Thank you for helping. We will share the results of this survey with everyone who participates in a few weeks!
You can stay informed about payment developments at www.wecare.org.nz and at www.facebook.com/wecarenz At the website you can send an email to the Prime Minister, John Key, asking him to ensure thoughtful decision-making for carers; read the latest media reports about caring issues including payment; and post a picture message about caring.
Last month the Government announced its long-awaited policy in relation to payment for family carers. It has allocated $23 million a year to pay minimum wage for up to 40 hours a week for approximately 1,600 parents supporting high needs adult disabled children.
Soon after this announcement government passed, under urgency, the Public Health and Disability Act, which prevents other carers (spouses, or those supporting disabled children or older people) from legally challenging the policy.
While an opportunity to discuss extending the payment to other categories of carers is on offer, the policy and accompanying legislation has offended carers, disability and human rights advocates, the Law Society, and the wider legal fraternity. Offering carers the minimum wage for the often intensive support they provide has also dismayed carers and those who value their efforts. Details about how the policy will be administered and who will qualify for payment have yet to be announced; Carers NZ and the Carers Alliance have not been asked for input.
This week a new case is being heard in the High Court, taken by carer Margaret Spencer, who supports her 44 year old disabled son Paul. The Ministry of Health has refused to pay Margaret and she is seeking a judicial review of its decision. Her case was lodged, and can thus be heard, before the Government's new Act was passed. Follow these media links for the latest news about Margaret's case and the payment issue:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sole-caregiver-takes-legal-action-video-5474991
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10892534
http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/family-carers-continuing-fight-respect-video-5475453
The carer movement is asking opposition political parties how they would ensure a fairer approach to paying carers if they are in government, and to commit to repealing the legislation.
Meanwhile, we want to ensure a collective response from carers and their supporters to the new policy and the Act.
Please spend a few minutes sharing your views so we can provide united feedback to government, society, and the media. Your response can be anonymous, or provide contact details if you would like to be kept informed about developments about the payment issue. We are also seeking carers who would be willing to be interviewed; if so, please provide your details as requested at the end of the survey.
Thank you for helping. We will share the results of this survey with everyone who participates in a few weeks!
You can stay informed about payment developments at www.wecare.org.nz and at www.facebook.com/wecarenz At the website you can send an email to the Prime Minister, John Key, asking him to ensure thoughtful decision-making for carers; read the latest media reports about caring issues including payment; and post a picture message about caring.