Dr Bex, I can hardly read your article. I will have to come back to it. I too am upset about the misinformation that National is propagating.I too value evidence and evidence based policy making. In my FB Newsfeed I have been blasted with posts from Christopher Luxon, Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis. I have reported for misinformation. I admire Chris Hipkins who responds to the false allegations with a quiet voice. The others all have voices filled with venom and glee. I will reread as you describe with accuracy what is happening.
We are indebted to you once again, Dr Bex, for raising these two important submissions.
I had just pressed send on my submission on the Ministry of Transport’s proposal to ‘Strengthen’ Total Mobility when I saw your Substack post pop up in my notifications.
I think I raised many of the same points as you.
I ignored Chris Bishop’s ‘reckon’ that people could not submit on the already decided 1 July 2026 changes to reduce the Government subsidy, which will mean increased costs for Total Mobility Scheme users.
I also noted that, for people with dementia who use the Total Mobility Scheme, while improved wheelchair access is a good thing, they often need other kinds of accessibility changes too, including dementia-friendly design and practice. They also frequently need a supporter to travel with them, which means two fares, not one.
And do not get me started on the proposal that people may periodically have to reapply for the scheme and, in effect, re-prove dementia. I was 'not best pleased' about that one. But made sure swear words didn't accidentally get into my submission - although plenty were going around in my head.
I also got my submission in on the Carers Strategy Action Plan. In my view, most of what is proposed will not positively change what carers actually experience. Although, there were a couple of good ideas. I noted the lack of any meaningful changes for unpaid whānau carers, nor anything that may incur increased government expenditure. A lot of it read like a MSD/DSS work plan and mapping and picture painting, not at all focused on making improvements for carers. And, it will be up to Louise Upston if she does anything with the Action Plan!
Unfortunately, this Government seems to think that people with disabilities, their whānau, and supporters will just have to lump it or leave it when changes are proposed or, worse, simply imposed without proper consultation. Even when consultation does occur, it often feels performative, with little real consideration of the consequences.
People are being treated like cost units, where lowering support costs frees up money for corporate welfare and further transfers of wealth to those who are already well off and well sorted.
In all my life, I have never seen a New Zealand Government so cruel, so willing to ignore evidence, and so determined to press ahead with changes that will harm so many people.
Yet they wrap it all in language designed to sound positive, such as ‘strengthening’.
I am really over doing submissions and having to stay ‘professional’ in my communications, but I will keep at it.
It looks like this weekend will also involve reading the ICCPR draft report and preparing a submission on that too.
Thank you for all your hard work and advocacy. It is a tough environment to be caring about these issues - and yet, never more important to be (loudly) raising them.
Totally agree with you Paul. You and Dr Bex articulate the crucial points you each make so very well.
We need to be active participants in our democracy (imperfect and filled with uncaring cretins as it seems to be) and submit our views. Please do this now. Don’t wait.
Total Mobility sub done - the languaging of consistency always opens pathways to a reduction in access and support so I am grateful for your section suggestions and overview.
🤦 The depths of dishonesty this current govt is prepared to go to is soul-destroying, but much more egregious are their actions in these spaces. IMHO this currrent lot have NOTHING BUT political posturing - they neither understand nor CARE about the issues facing the disadvantaged in our country 🤬
It may be a short-term hit to our international ability to be trusted (🤞🤞🤞) but it could also cause long term damage - certainly grateful for your work in pushing back & giving us the tools to do so as well by laying out the concerns. For those of us who aren't currently affected in some areas, we are a nano-second from that changing due to accident or illness on the disability front, and the other areas affect the whole of society in one way or another (eg that "violent young offender" who is not effectively managed & rehabilitated may be the one who attacks you or someone you love due to their unresolved anger & pain 😢)
Dr Bex, I can hardly read your article. I will have to come back to it. I too am upset about the misinformation that National is propagating.I too value evidence and evidence based policy making. In my FB Newsfeed I have been blasted with posts from Christopher Luxon, Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis. I have reported for misinformation. I admire Chris Hipkins who responds to the false allegations with a quiet voice. The others all have voices filled with venom and glee. I will reread as you describe with accuracy what is happening.
I am having trouble keeping up with the lies, I've never seen anything like it
We are indebted to you once again, Dr Bex, for raising these two important submissions.
I had just pressed send on my submission on the Ministry of Transport’s proposal to ‘Strengthen’ Total Mobility when I saw your Substack post pop up in my notifications.
I think I raised many of the same points as you.
I ignored Chris Bishop’s ‘reckon’ that people could not submit on the already decided 1 July 2026 changes to reduce the Government subsidy, which will mean increased costs for Total Mobility Scheme users.
I also noted that, for people with dementia who use the Total Mobility Scheme, while improved wheelchair access is a good thing, they often need other kinds of accessibility changes too, including dementia-friendly design and practice. They also frequently need a supporter to travel with them, which means two fares, not one.
And do not get me started on the proposal that people may periodically have to reapply for the scheme and, in effect, re-prove dementia. I was 'not best pleased' about that one. But made sure swear words didn't accidentally get into my submission - although plenty were going around in my head.
I also got my submission in on the Carers Strategy Action Plan. In my view, most of what is proposed will not positively change what carers actually experience. Although, there were a couple of good ideas. I noted the lack of any meaningful changes for unpaid whānau carers, nor anything that may incur increased government expenditure. A lot of it read like a MSD/DSS work plan and mapping and picture painting, not at all focused on making improvements for carers. And, it will be up to Louise Upston if she does anything with the Action Plan!
Unfortunately, this Government seems to think that people with disabilities, their whānau, and supporters will just have to lump it or leave it when changes are proposed or, worse, simply imposed without proper consultation. Even when consultation does occur, it often feels performative, with little real consideration of the consequences.
People are being treated like cost units, where lowering support costs frees up money for corporate welfare and further transfers of wealth to those who are already well off and well sorted.
In all my life, I have never seen a New Zealand Government so cruel, so willing to ignore evidence, and so determined to press ahead with changes that will harm so many people.
Yet they wrap it all in language designed to sound positive, such as ‘strengthening’.
I am really over doing submissions and having to stay ‘professional’ in my communications, but I will keep at it.
It looks like this weekend will also involve reading the ICCPR draft report and preparing a submission on that too.
Sigh.
Thank you for all your hard work and advocacy. It is a tough environment to be caring about these issues - and yet, never more important to be (loudly) raising them.
Totally agree with you Paul. You and Dr Bex articulate the crucial points you each make so very well.
We need to be active participants in our democracy (imperfect and filled with uncaring cretins as it seems to be) and submit our views. Please do this now. Don’t wait.
So much misinformation or partial truths! I am struck with how people don't seem able to differentiate between belief and reliable evidence.
Total Mobility sub done - the languaging of consistency always opens pathways to a reduction in access and support so I am grateful for your section suggestions and overview.
Thanks Jo. The insinuation by the Minister that it's disabled people's fault for taking too many trips really is a step too far on this one.
That insinuation disgusts and angers me
🤦 The depths of dishonesty this current govt is prepared to go to is soul-destroying, but much more egregious are their actions in these spaces. IMHO this currrent lot have NOTHING BUT political posturing - they neither understand nor CARE about the issues facing the disadvantaged in our country 🤬
It may be a short-term hit to our international ability to be trusted (🤞🤞🤞) but it could also cause long term damage - certainly grateful for your work in pushing back & giving us the tools to do so as well by laying out the concerns. For those of us who aren't currently affected in some areas, we are a nano-second from that changing due to accident or illness on the disability front, and the other areas affect the whole of society in one way or another (eg that "violent young offender" who is not effectively managed & rehabilitated may be the one who attacks you or someone you love due to their unresolved anger & pain 😢)