‘Nightmare’ policy for carers heading for rubbish bin

The Government has announced plans to axe controversial legislation denying people the right to complain about breaches of their human rights relating to care of disabled family members.

The policy had been a ‘‘nightmare’’ for families, acting Associate Health Minister James Shaw said. Shaw and Health Minister David Clark made the announcement yesterday morning, as part of a wider overhaul of the current policy on paying people who care for disabled family members.

Clark said the Government would change the Funded Family Care policy, with options and timeframes to be presented to Cabinet later in the year.

Currently, the funding cannot be used to employ a spouse.

The changes to the policy would include eligibility and payment for carers, Shaw said.

The ministers also announced the Government would remove Part 4A of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.

Introduced by the previous National Government, Part 4A limits the ability to complain to the Human Rights Commission and courts about breaches to the Human Rights Act 1993 in relation to family care policies.

Shaw said there had been consistent calls to remove Part 4A because it was discriminatory.

‘‘In particular, Part 4A has been inconsistent with human rights legislation because it denies families the right to complain about breaches of their human rights relating to family care policies,’’ he said.

‘‘Today’s announcement is the first step towards a kinder and fairer agreement with carers.’’

Acting Associate Health Minister James Shaw

‘‘The previous Government’s Funded Family Care policy has been a nightmare for the families involved. Today’s announcement is the first step towards a kinder and fairer agreement with carers.’’

Shaw said the Government would be consulting with affected families and stakeholders over the next couple of months to discuss the key issues surrounding the Funded Family Care policy.

He said eligibility, pay rates for carers, the employment relationship and the type of care covered would be discussed.

Clark said consultation was needed to ensure a new system was durable and would meet all needs.

‘‘For example, most family carers don’t want to be employed by their disabled child or a disabled family member they live with, but some do,’’ he said.

Clark said he understood many families had waited a long time to see this policy change.

‘‘This work contributes directly to the Government priority to ensure everyone who is able to, is earning, learning, caring and volunteering.’’