Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Social Workers
Kia tutuki ai ngā whainga me ngā tumanako kia mau tonu i ngā mahi
Through working together our goals and objectives will be achieved
Guide to Advocacy & Lobbying March 2017
Working with and on behalf of its members, ANZASW plays an active role in making submissions on a variety of government policy programmes and legislative changes.
As part of the submission process members are approached to participate in providing direct input. In addition if you are aware of other policy or legislative issues that you believe ANZASW should be making comment on then please also contact National Office.
For enquiries in regards to the availability of older Submissions and Responses please contact National Office admin@anzasw.nz
Interim Standards for Abortion Services in New Zealand
The Ministry of Health has issued the Interim Standards for Abortion a Services in New Zealand.
The Ministry states: “the purpose of these interim standards is to provide guidance for the health sector, pending the Ministry of Health implementing a more formal engagement and consultation process, in partnership with clinicians, women service users, and service providers”.
https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/interim-standards-abortion-services-new-zealand
The consultation phase provides an opportunity to ensure that there is a strong social work presence in the Standards for Abortion Services in New Zealand.
Members, and particularly those who are working in Abortion Services, are strongly encouraged to review the Interim Standards and provide feedback to lucysandford-reed@anzasw.nz in preparation for the consultation phase.
Call for Nominations for the Standards Review
Invitation to nominate a person/s from ANZASW to attend the Abortion Services Sector Solutions working group is now closed.
For more information on the Abortion Law Reform work programme, please visit the dedicated page on the Ministry’s website: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/abortion-legislation-information-health-practitioners
For more information on the Standards Review, please visit the dedicated page on the Ministry’s website: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/certification-health-care-services/services-standards/health-and-disability-services-standards-and-fertility-services-standard-review
This bill has now been passed.
The purpose of this bill is to improve the process for raising and progressing pay equity claims, and to eliminate and prevent discrimination on the basis of sex in the remuneration and employment terms and conditions for work done within female-dominated jobs.
Oranga Tamariki social workers’ te ao Māori knowldege questioned (RNZ 15 June 2020)
8 June 2020 Report: Te Kuku O Te Manawa – Ka puta te riri, ka momori te ngākau, ka heke ngā roimata mo tōku pēpi
The draft terms of reference can be viewed here https://whanauora.nz/assets/7b6d2ccf4b/Draft-Terms-of-Reference-Maori-Inquiry-into-Oranga-Tamariki-v2.pdf
For more information go to:
https://nzfvc.org.nz/news/m%C4%81ori-inquiry-oranga-tamariki-next-phase-call-feedback
and
https://whanauora.nz/maori-inquiry/
Submissions closed
What does the bill aim to achieve?
This bill aims to reduce the re-traumatisation of sexual violence victims during court proceedings. The Law Commission’s 2015 report found the judicial system is not conductive to helping victims recover from their experience and receive justice.
This bill would increase the variety of ways complainants could give evidence in court. It would improve sexual violence complainants’ experience of the court process by allowing:
The bill would also increase access to communication assistance. Anyone who needs help understanding court proceedings or giving evidence would be able to apply for assistance.
Inquiry into Health Inequities for Māori>>
Submissions are now closed.
The inquiry will focus on cancer care and explore barriers that Māori experience relating to prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, cures, and palliative care.
The Māori Affairs Committee opened this inquiry in March 2019. This was after receiving letters from Māori users of the health system expressing concern and identifying shortcomings for Māori seeking cancer care.
The terms of reference for this inquiry will focus on:
What is the Royal Commission?
The Royal Commission is an Inquiry into abuse in State care and in faith-based institutions.
The Inquiry will look at what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults who were in care in New Zealand between 1950 and 1999. They may also listen to experiences before or after these dates.
https://www.abuseinstatecare.royalcommission.govt.nz/
Media Coverage
Government response to Mental Health & Addiction Inquiry Brings Hope (PSA 31 May 2019)
Report omits impact of creativity on health & wellbeing (The Big Idea 04 December 2018)
Mental Health Report “not radical enough” for Māori (Māori Television 04 December 2018)
A Māori health provider is slamming the new Mental Health and Addictions report released by the government. Te Rau Matatini chief executive Maria Baker says Māori have the worst outcomes but recommendations fail to give them a voice.
Kia Piki Te Ora general manager Michael Naera says some Māori organisations are disgusted at the report’s blanket approach to Māori.
“One size fits all? Māori don’t fit into the recommendations. We’re upset because there were many whānau and voices that talked to the panel but it isn’t reflected.”..
Mental Health System under-resourced, under pressure, unsustainable (RNZ 03 December 2018)
Our current mental health system ..is “under-resourced”, “under pressure” and “unsustainable” according to a report released today by Mental Health & Addiction inquiry. And we can’t medicate or treat our way out of this epidemic of mental distress. The report by a government appointed panel makes 40 recommendations…
The Report
He-Ara-Oranga – The Mental Health & Addiction Report has been released. The Executive Summary is on Pages 6 – 15 and the 40 recommendations are to be found pages 16 – 20.
If you have any feedback on the report or recommendations please send these to lucysandford-reed@anzasw.nz.
He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health & Addiction (WebPage)
He Ara Oranga – report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health & Addiction (NZ Dept of Internal Affairs 03 December 2018) (YouTube)
Summary of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction’s final report – December 2018. Read the report at: www.mentalhealth.inquiry.govt.nz
He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health & Addiction (PDF)
Our Submission
ANZASW Submission to the Government Inquiry into Mental Health &Addiction Services (June 2018)
Relevant Links
Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry – update from the Chair 19 June 2018 Inquiry Panel – Regional Events How to have your Say (including the PDF Template) Government Inquiry into Mental Health & Addiction Mental Health Inquiry Consultation Document Inquiry into Mental Health & Addiction Terms of Reference Update on the Government Inquiry into Mental Health & AddictionMedia Coverage
ANZASW Statement on Child Poverty Monitor Report (Scoop 12 December 2018)
Child Poverty Bill doesn’t Address Cause: Inequality (SCOOP, Closing the Gap, 03 December 2018 )
As Parliament prepares to pass the Child Poverty Reduction Bill this coming week, the income equality group Closing the Gap again urges MPs to tackle the problem behind child poverty: inequality.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s bill is a good first step, but its focus on setting targets and improving reporting on child poverty are “process” issues, and don’t get at the root of the problem, Closing the Gap spokesman Peter Malcolm said.
Latest figures show child poverty in New Zealand stands at around 27 percent, meaning nearly 300,000 children living below the poverty line. “Those figures are proof enough — we don’t need more reporting and targets to tell us income equality must be urgently addressed,” Mr. Malcolm said…
Radio NZ Podcast: Govt Urged to Widen Child Poverty Reduction Bill
ANZASW Submission on Child Poverty Reduction Bill(April 2018)
New Zealand Legislation (http://www.legislation.govt.nz)
Child Poverty Reduction Bill>>
The purpose of this Act is to help achieve a significant and sustained reduction in child poverty in New Zealand by provisions that—
(a) encourage a focus by government and society on child poverty reduction:
(b) facilitate political accountability against published targets:
(c) require transparent reporting on levels of child poverty.
To help achieve its purpose, this Act—
(a) specifies and requires child poverty measures:
(b) requires the setting of child poverty reduction targets:
(c) requires reports relating to child poverty:
(d) requires the identification of child poverty-related indicators:
(e) requires monitoring reports related to identified indicators.
New Zealand Parliament (https://www.parliament.nz)
The purpose of this bill is to encourage a focus on child poverty reduction, facilitate political accountability against published targets, require transparent reporting on child poverty levels, and create a greater commitment by Government to address child well-being.