Originally published as a column in The Southland Express

I’m delighted to have been given the lead responsibility for Disability Services in National’s recent caucus reshuffle.

There are some urgent matters around disability support that should be addressed and I intend to work hard for change.
In particular, I want to advocate for an increase in respite care payments.

These payments aim to reimburse the costs of using a support person to care for a disabled person. This means their carer can take some time out for themselves and it’s hugely important for individuals and families.

However, respite care payments are just $76 a day. This is shockingly well below minimum wage and makes it very difficult for families of dependants with a disability to access respite care.

New individualised funding has made a big difference for many people with a disability, allowing them to access support that best suits their needs.

But there are still gaps which often have to be filled by family and more work needs to be done to improve this support.

Transport also continues to be a major cost and prohibitor for those with disabilities wanting to participate in work or social activities, and I would like to see improvements here too.

Apart from Disability Services I am also pleased to have been given the Associate Transport role, along with retaining Tertiary Education and Associate Agriculture.

These responsibilities give me a broad range of opportunities to advocate for the people of the South and to ensure local voices are heard.