9. Hon TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Māori Party) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Justice
Does she agree with Chief Human Rights Commissioner, Rosslyn Noonan, that the recent Human Rights Review Tribunal ruling on ACC is “a landmark in human rights law in that it shows how any New Zealander can challenge legislation they believe to be discriminatory and impacts upon them adversely”; if so, what action will she be taking with relevant Ministers to advise them of this landmark ruling?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Associate Minister of Justice) Link to this
Yes, the Minister for ACC is already aware of the decision of the Human Rights Review Tribunal and has legislation in front of the House that addresses the issue of access to vocational rehabilitation.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
Is the Minister aware that the Child Poverty Action Group has initiated legal proceedings regarding the Government’s in-work tax credit, claiming the policy is discriminatory on the basis of parental work status, and does she believe that more work should be done to advise Ministers how to remove discriminatory effects from their policies?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
Yes, I am aware that proceedings have been filed, which means it would be inappropriate for me to comment.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
What impact does the Minister think the ongoing human rights proceedings concerning the discrimination in Government policies such as the in-work payment and the in-work tax credit have on the credibility of that scheme in the Government’s work programme?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
That is the matter that is still the subject of proceedings, and therefore it would be inappropriate to make a determination as to whether that is in fact the case. If it is in relation to the matter that was determined in the case in the substantive question, the matter is being addressed by Parliament. There is a bill in front of the select committee right now.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
Is the Minister aware that the Human Rights Commission has received complaints in relation to the spelling of Wanganui, prompting the Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres, to conclude that “revisiting the names and spelling of place names and the correct use of te reo Maori is part of an ongoing process of negotiation and reconciliation between Maori, government, and non-Maori community members”, and what advice will she be providing to the Wanganui District Council in light of this finding?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
No, I was not aware that the Race Relations Commissioner had made that announcement.