Lynne Pillay

1 JULY 2009 - "Disabled people's voices in New Zealand have been shut down" says Lynne Pillay Labour Spokesperson for Disability Issues.

On Tuesday Paula Bennett was removed from her role as Minister for Disability Issues.

"During her time as Minister of Disability Issues Paula Bennett's only claim to fame in representing people with disabilities was to set up a Ministerial Committee. That committee didn't meet until June of this year and was strongly criticised by the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) as 'window dressing'.

"For a Minister who is so critical of 'talk fests' this equates to seven months of inaction," Ms Pillay said.

"The Disabled Persons Assembly called Ms Bennett to account in their latest newsletter.

"Labour Deputy Opposition Leader Annette King today attempted to table the newsletter in Parliament but was prevented from doing so when an objection was lodged by the new Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia.

"The disabled community have been ignored to by the former National Minister and now to add insult to injury the first action of the new Minister is to shut down their criticisms of Paula Bennett ," Ms Pillay said.