🧪 EXPERIMENTAL / ALPHA — this is an independent prototype, not an official record. Data may be incomplete or wrong - always check the linked Hansard source before relying on it.
Hot Air

📋 Family carers as unpaid support rather than paid employees

← All policies

Creates a formal legislative framework for Disability Support Services (DSS), responding to the Supreme Court's Fleming v Attorney-General ruling that recognised some family carers as employees. Instead of paying family carers as state employees, the bill requires people to have used "natural supports" - family, community and public resources, with "family" defined broadly - before DSS is provided.

Introduced under urgency on 17 May 2026 with no consultation with disabled people, carers or whānau, prompting 3,382 written submissions and a 16,000-signature petition opposing it. The Select Committee later recommended amendments responding to that feedback.

55% support in the most recent vote

How each party has stood on this policy over time. On a 🔄 Aye = against vote, whoever voted Aye is shown as opposing the policy, not supporting it. 🙋 Conscience vote rows show which way most of that party's MPs voted, plus what % voted Aye in the House.

Vote National Labour Green ACT NZ First Te Pāti Māori
Vote: Disability Support Services Bill ✓ Passed
1 Sep 2026 · Third reading
✓ Supports ✕ Opposes ✕ Opposes ✓ Supports ✓ Supports ✕ Opposes
Disability Support Services Bill ✓ Passed
18 Aug 2026 · Second reading
✓ Supports ✕ Opposes ✕ Opposes ✓ Supports ✓ Supports ✕ Opposes

📚 References