SSPA Quick Update
October 26, 2017 at 5:15 PM
26 October 2017
SSPA NATIONAL MANAGER
Briefing for ministers sets out priorities
It’s been an interesting few weeks but we now have a Labour-led government with NZ First and the Greens. This presents our sector with some real opportunities. There is close alignment between our agenda and Labour Party policy, and with the policies and statements of key NZ First and Green spokespeople. This is no coincidence. While maintaining constructive relationships with the former National government, we have also built strong relationships with the parties that now form the government and have worked with them on the key policy ideas.
We have sent our briefing paper – The Provision of Social Services for Children, Young People and Families/Whanau – to the following ministers:
- Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Social Development (and also responsible for the social investment agency)
- Tracey Martin, Minister for Children
- Peeni Henare, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Associate Minister for Social Development, Minister for Whanau Ora, Minister for Youth.
We are seeking early meetings with them to discuss priorities and ways we can work together. As you will see from the briefing paper, we are asking for a funding boost across the sector to recognise the flat-lined funding most of you have experienced; an immediate signal that the identifiable client data policy is off the table; and joint work on a new funding model for social services, in line with Labour’s policy commitment. There are other matters we have raised including investment in provider capability; creating a more stable environment for providers; and developing a real partnership between social service providers and Government.
We’ll keep you posted about any discussions we have with ministers. We expect the next period of time to feature a lot of change; we’ll be working hard to keep you in the picture and to make sure our collective voice is heard.
Brenda Pilott
SSPA national manager
