Five surprising things we learnt at the Disability Debate

On Wednesday evening, The D*List and Auckland University Disabled Students Association held The Disability Debate in Tāmaki Makaurau (you can watch the video here).

We invited candidates from all seven major parties, and four panellists participated: Priyanca Radhakrishnan from Labour, Ricardo Menéndez March from the Green Party, Cody Marsh from the Opportunity Party and Oriini Kaipara from Te Pati Māori.

From missing candidates to parking illegally, here are the spiciest things that went down at our debate.

1. The coalition government parties did not show up

We invited Disability Minister Louise Upston, but she was “unable to attend”. Instead, the National Party committed to sending Rima Nakhle, but she pulled out two days prior due to “unforeseen circumstances”. The ACT Party originally sent Antonia Modkova, who was suddenly “now unavailable” only 2 hours after confirming her attendance in the debate. Keegan Langeveld of New Zealand First had confirmed his attendance on the day, but 45 minutes before the debate began he texted that he ended up at the “wrong address” and was no longer able to make it…

We are hugely disappointed that these political parties – who make up our current government – did not show up, considering the impact they've had on disabled communities in the last three years. If you are going to propose policies that affect our lives, at least front up to them in front of the people it’ll most impact.

2. Oriini Kaipara admitted to parking in a mobility car park (on Tuesday!)

During our quickfire round, we asked the panellists if they had ever parked in a mobility car park. The question itself got some giggles from the audience, but as the panellists lifted up their signs it was Oriini Kaipara that said yes. “I did it yesterday, actually,” she admitted. “Long story short, I was late to [an] engagement and that was the only carpark and the security guard went ‘Come here, you’re late, you’re ok, come in.’ So I was told by the security guard! I know, shame, shame. At least I’m honest!”

3. The Opportunity Party candidate wasn’t certain if disabled people had input in informing their policies

The Opportunity Party candidate Cody Marsh repeatedly said the party wants to “remove barriers” for disabled people, however also said the party would be willing to go into a coalition with National despite their track record with disabled communities for the past three years.

During the quickfire round, we asked each of the candidates if they could confirm whether they had disabled people informing their policies. Priyanca, Ricardo and Oriini said yes, while Cody couldn’t give a definitive answer regarding the Opportunity Party’s process.

4. Labour Party would not commit to ending the minimum wage exemption

While all the candidates disagree with the principle of paying disabled people below the minimum wage, not all parties would commit to changing legislation.

Ricardo said the Greens “do support the abolishment of the Minimum Wage Exemption”.

Cody from TOP said it would repeal the minimum wage exemption and Te Pati Māori’s Oriini said the party “opposes it vehemently”.

However, Priyanca from Labour couldn’t give a firm commitment they would abolish it. “We need to see if that’s something we can fund and deliver in the first term… we are working towards it if we can, [but] there is no money for it now.”

5. Disabled people have a LOT of questions for politicians

Prior to the event, we asked community members to submit questions to ask the candidates at the debate. While some of the issues that people had questions about were covered in the general debate, we had over 70 questions submitted! Unfortunately we couldn’t get through them all, but it reinforced that disabled people have a lot to say, are not being heard, and want to keep those in power accountable for the decisions they make. We have published the full list of questions here.