Nothing about us, without us?
Posted on September 05, 2014
Nothing about us, without us
As someone who grew up in the disability sector, I have heard this numerous times. However is this saying correct when it comes to politics in New Zealand.
In the 50th New Zealand Parliament we had one person who openly identified with having a disability. Don’t get me wrong Mojo Mathers did an amazing job, but one person is not exactly ‘us’. This has sparked me contact the various parties to see if they are doing what they can do to ensure that people with disabilities have their voices heard in parliament.
I received the following response from the following parties;
Internet Party
“33% of our candidates identify with having a disability and our highest ranking candidate is our number 5 on the list.”
Green Party
“Of our ranked list (ranked up to 34 candidates) we have 4 candidates who identify with having a disability. This totals to 10.8% of our ranked list. Those candidates are:Mojo Mathers, Chris Perley, Rachael Goldsmith, Chris Ford.Mojo Mathers is our highest ranked candidate at number 9.”
National Party
“Obviously with the greatest respect to the work you are doing, I’m not sure we are able to answer these questions. We don't seek information about disabilities when members are nominated by their electorates to be candidates,
We consider any candidate medical issues or disabilities to be the personal and private information of candidates, though they may of course wish to speak individually about their own circumstances if identifying as having a disability.”
ACT Party
“ACT's candidates are selected on the basis of their ability to present ACT's philosophies and policies to New Zealand voters. ACT makes no distinction between its candidates on the basis of age, sex, religion, race or disability.”
I have looked at a range of ACT and National Party Candidates and so far none have openly identified with having a disability. I am more than willing to be corrected on this point if I am wrong.
I am still waiting to hear back from the Labour Party and New Zealand First. The Labour Party highest ranking candidate that identifies with having a disability is Corie Haddock at 53 and campaigning against John Key for Helensville. Lovely guy, but judging by current polls I wouldn't say he’s guaranteed a spot.
I have heard that it is the fault of the disability community for not putting their name forward. This may be the case but we have to question why this is not happening. With parties focusing so much on other demographics including gender and ethnic, why is disability representation falling through the cracks?
I am concerned that if ‘Nothing with us, without us’ is as true as people say it is, is the 51st Parliament going to have nothing about disability issues?”