Different proposals for support
Labour’s Priyanca Radhakrishnan argued for learning support based on children’s needs. Green MP Ricardo Menendez March advocated broader eligibility for specialist school support. The Opportunity Party’s Cody Marsh backed services that remove barriers to education and independence. Kaipara acknowledged that her party did not yet have a comprehensive disability policy. [1]
Questions about wages and representation
Participants were challenged over minimum-wage exemptions for disabled workers. Radhakrishnan supported ending them but did not give a firm, funded first-term commitment; Menendez March and Marsh also supported abolition. These were campaign positions. Host Olivia Shivas said governing-coalition representatives were absent after cancellations. The debate therefore presented the participating parties’ responses, rather than a full cross-party agreement. [1]