Mental health in New Zealand

The Green Party supported this bill at first reading and will continue to support it. In particular, we support the underlying intent of the bill, but we do so with some reservations. More

The bill enables the council to re-criminalise soliciting in particular areas of its choosing. This effectively recreates exactly the imposition on the rights of sex workers that existed under the old law, except that the penalties will be 10 times higher.

"It is beyond dispute that this Budget will widen income inequalities, and thereby exacerbate existing health inequalities, producing overall worse health outcomes, especially for the poorest citizens, but in fact overall too. More

"It is no secret, I guess, that the Greens will be voting against the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill at its third reading. I will not repeat the arguments that I have made through the various stages of the bill, but I will touch on them and build somewhat."

"In recent months we have seen not only those changes to sensitive claims processing, where ACC has changed its interpretation of what the law says about mental injury and about the way that that test is applied. That has resulted in a significant shifting of cost from the State on to the victims of sexual abuse, effectively re-victimising them."

"I spoke yesterday about our commitment and support for the social contract that lies at the very heart of the accident compensation scheme, in which New Zealanders gave up their right to sue in return for a 24/7, no-fault scheme that would provide full compensation and full rehabilitation, based on the principles that were outlined in the Woodhouse report. "

Kevin takes a second call during the committe stage of the Injury Prevention, Rehibilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill. This bill was passed under Urgency on Wednesday 24 February after a whole day of debating in the House. More