Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues
The Government has established a Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues to provide visible leadership and accountability for implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and set a coherent direction for disability issues across government.
New leadership and accountability
In February 2009, the Government decided to establish a new Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues as a first response to the Social Services Select Committee Inquiry into the Quality of Care and Services Provision for People with Disabilities.
The Committee is designed to provide visible leadership and accountability for implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and set a coherent direction for disability issues across government.
The Committee is be chaired by the Minister for Disability Issues and has other key ministers as members.
By having ministers from different portfolios working closely together, government agencies will better focus their activity and policy development on what makes a real difference in disabled people's lives. The Government wants departments to be smarter and work collectively on common areas rather than separately. This will help make the best use of limited resources.
Terms of reference
The role, function and membership of the Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues is described in its Terms of Reference.