Pegasus Post: September 12, 2017

Housing
Alan and Yuki Paynter
Alan and Yuki’s Burwood home needed four rounds of repairs.
They were just one of 2325 Canterbury homes being reviewed by EQC for their
sub-standard repair work. Three years on, the stress and frustration while waiting
for EQC’s decision for the best way to repair their home was taking its toll.
I fought for the Paynter’s home to be properly reviewed, and for all the damage
caused by the earthquakes and sub-standard repairs to be fixed. Alan and Yuki
can finally call their house a home again.
Labour wants Christchurch to thrive, so our plan focuses on breaking the
deadlocks slowing down our regeneration. We will:
• Establish an arbitration tribunal to fast-track dispute resolutions
between homeowners, insurers and EQC.
• Inject $400k into the Residential Advisory Service, and $500k into
Community Law so you can access legal advice.
Hardship
• Start a Royal Commission into EQC to get to the bottom of the many
issues Cantabrians have faced since 2011.
Pete Lawrence
Work and Income cut Pete Lawrence’s disability benefit without warning. When he
contacted WINZ to ask why, Pete was told he hadn’t supplied details and receipts for his
annual review, which he also wasn’t notified of.
Pete is a tetraplegic and has relied on a wheelchair for mobility for 32 years. He asked for
my help to appeal his case, and we fought to have his disability benefit reinstated with
back-pay.
Labour believes New Zealand can be a place where everyone lives well, and with
dignity. We will:
• Bring in new policies and staff training at Work and Income to change the
culture, and make sure people can access what they are entitled to.
• Increase the Accommodation Supplement, Working for Families payments,
and implement a Families package, meaning more money for low and
middle income families.
• Raise the abatement threshold for beneficiaries, making it easier to transition into
employment.
Cyril Edwards
Health
The ongoing pain in his knee was making it harder for Cyril to drive trucks and earn a
living.
No matter how hard he tried, Cyril couldn’t even see a specialist to be referred for an
operation. The pain was so bad, he was considering quitting his job and going on a
benefit for a few years until he was able to collect superannuation.
I made sure Cyril’s knee was examined by a specialist. Now he’s recovering well, and
happy to be returning to work again.
Labour will invest an additional $8 billion in health over four years. Better access to
early treatment will keep people healthier and reduce the burden on our health
system. We will:
• Repair the relationship with the Canterbury District Health Board, so services are
properly resourced to reach the people who need them.
• Cut GP fees by $10 per visit, with $8 GP visits for Community Services Card
holders.
• Fund free mental health care in the community, including an extra eighty mental
health professionals across Christchurch schools.