Uffindell returns, Luxon discriminates. Progress.

 

Uffindells back, Luxon says people with disabilities will be penalised for not working..because of their disability. 

 

Sam Uffindell has returned to the National Party, with Sylvia Wood, National president, saying: 

Uffindell’s behaviour “…did not substantiate any allegations of bullying outside of [his] time at King’s College”. In regards to the incident that happened in his 2003 flat, accounts of what happened differed, with there being an overall breakdown of the flat relationship. Uffindell hasn’t spoken to the flatmate since. 

 

This interview saw 14 people interviewed, with written statements also being made. The report itself will not be released publicly. Christopher Luxon has said, “I have never tolerated bullying in any team or workplace I have led and since becoming our leader, I have made clear my expectations about the behaviour and conduct I expect from all of our MPs and members.” 

 

Meanwhile, Luxon has announced that he wants to change jobseeker benefits. Under 25’s who have been on the jobseeker benefit for over a year could face benefit cuts- with one of the main criteria for this benefit being that of disability. When approached with the fact that disabilities come in many forms, with some meaning a lot of jobs aren’t the best fit, Luxon said “Yes, if they refuse to participate in their job plan, we will employ the sanctions.” Of those who receive the jobseeker benefit currently, 8700 18 to 24-year-olds are actually considered ready to work. 

 

Carmel Sepuloni, Social Development minister, has said that sanctioning people with disabilities or serious illnesses if they can’t work is “unkind”. Which… considering Luxon’s little speech about how he’s never tolerated bullying… seems a little… well… 

Anyway, instead of penalising those with disabilities which means they struggle to find work, and struggle to work, the government should be working with them and supporting them to work where they can. 

 

Mike McRoberts makes up with Willie Jackson 

 

In 2010, Jackson released an opinion piece in which he criticised TVNZ’s lack of Māori employees on the current affairs show Close Up. He stated “Of course, the smart alecs out there will throw up names like Tamati Coffey, Mike McRoberts, or Miriama Kamo as examples of Māori in the media. However, with respect to these talented people, it’s not just about a Māori face. More important is the Māori perspective.” 

 

McRoberts, at the time, felt as though it was naming and shaming him as not being Māori enough. Since then, he has undertaken a journey of learning Te Reo Māori and developing his understanding of Tikanga. 

 

On the other hand, the media also criticises Pākehā learning Te Reo Māori; many see it as people using the language for job opportunities, as opposed to reconnecting with a stolen culture and relearning a language that colonists tried to kill off by punishing those who spoke Te Reo Māori. 

 

Although this isn’t exactly about McRoberts learning Te Reo Māori, there is a conversation to be had. There’s a lot of talk about increasing the amount of Te Reo Māori in everyday life for everyone, but if we criticise those learning simply for the sake of learning, how do we strike a balance? If I was to walk into a class and learn, there would be the assumption that I’m just another Pākehā here to learn for the sake of learning- the reality is that I would be learning a language withheld from me, with grandma Naomi being the one who exclaimed we AREN’T MĀORI many years ago, as she, or generations of our family before, were punished for speaking Te Reo Māori. 

 

So what’s to be done? For one, more of an emphasis needs to be had regarding the significance of learning at all, before beginning classes. It’s more than just learning a language. 

 

Green party working with Health sector to change ADHD assessment 

The green party is working with the health sector to improve access to medication, increase understanding of the disorder, and build a consistent model of service and quality training for healthcare workers. 

 

As it is, the only way to gain access to ADHD medication is to see a psychiatrist. Privately, this costs over $1000, and publicly, you have to be in the top 3% of those struggling to be seen by the DHB. Wait times either way are 6 months or over. A psychologist can diagnose you, but cannot medicate you. Even then, if you are seen, some psychiatrists aren’t experienced with ADHD, and they may miss signs and discharge you from the mental health system. 

 

An unnamed clothing shop snobs sizes 16 and up

Vanessa Spano, 27 was shopping in an unnamed shop on the Gold Coast when she asked for a larger size (XL), to which she was told “sorry we don’t carry your size here”. Spano, usually a size 12-14, felt hurt and embarrassed after this exchange. 

 

Here in NZ, the average clothing size is a size 16 (although adverts usually show a size 12 model). Shops such as Glassons have ignored people requesting a size larger than a 16, and continue to stock sizes XS- XL. On top of that, there’s a definite lack of stores that stock plus size clothing. Outside of major cities, there are very few shops that stock above a 16 (and no I’m not talking about kmart or the warehouse). A size 16, the average size in New Zealand, is classed as an XL. A size 18 is XXL. 

 

So Glassons – sort your shit out- even Cotton On is doing better than you. Although, they do only stock up to a size 24. 

 

Convicted killer and child sex offender loses High Court bid to have sex in prison 

 

Killer and child sex offender Phillip John Smith lost a High Court bid, in which he sought to allow prisoners to have sex (with each other) at Rolleston Prison’s treatment units for child sex offenders. He filed for discrimination in his bid to allow for male prisoners to have sex with each other, saying it was discrimination against homosexuality. 

 

Justice Gerald Nation said the rule was lawful and it protected prisoners from harm alongside helping reduce reoffending. A psychological services manager at the units for child sex offenders also said any sexual related behaviour between residents is viewed as problematic as the prison has a duty of case to the large number of men in the units who have intellectual disabilities. 

 

Phillip John Smith’s application for Judicial review was also declined, with the prison being entitled to costs.