Cabinet papers - Information releases

This paper sets out and attaches the Programme Business Case (PBC) for long-term investment in the High and Complex Framework (HCF). The HCF provides a diversionary pathway to the criminal justice system for the compulsory care and rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people who have committed criminal offences.

Proposed amendment of the Approved Information Sharing Agreement between Inland Revenue and Ministry of Social Development to support income charging and The Privacy (Information Sharing Agreement between Inland Revenue and Ministry of Social Development) Amendment Order 2026

Amendments to the Social Security Act 2018 are required to ensure that $1,000 lump sum payments made under the Bonus Payment Programme are exempt as cash assets for 12 months when assessing eligibility for all assistance dependent on the Accommodation Supplement cash asset test.

This paper seeks Cabinet agreement to Progress the Government’s Response to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Concluding Observations by publishing the Concluding Observations and associated actions on the Human Rights Monitor.

An appointment process (undertaken in line with the Children’s Commissioner Act 2022 and the Crown Entities Act 2004) was required to address the expiry of the Children’s Commissioner’s term on 31 July 2026.

This paper seeks agreement to the initial policy direction for strengthening the Ministry of Social Development’s Disability Support Services (DSS) to enhance the consistency, fairness, transparency, and sustainability of its funded disability support.

This paper seeks agreement to accelerate action to further stabilise and strengthen the Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Disability Support Services (DSS) by establishing a foundational legislative framework that clarifies its role and purpose.

This paper seeks approval for the introduction of the Disability Support Services Bill.

These papers outline Cabinet agreement to the cross-government Mahi Aroha Carers’ Strategy Action Plan (Action Plan) to support informal or unpaid carers (Appendix 1) and provide further detail on the Action Plan, development, consultation and governance.

The Cabinet paper seeks Cabinet Legislation Committee’s authorisation to submit the Amendment Regulations to the Executive Council to make routine technical adjustments to the Residential Care Subsidy settings. These changes are to account for inflation in accordance with the Consumers Price Index as part of the 2026 Annual General Adjustment.

The paper introduces the Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill which amends the Social Security Act 2018 to support fiscal sustainability in the welfare system through better targeting of financial assistance to those most in need of support.

These papers proposed an approach following decisions made by the Social Security Appeal Authority (Appeal Authority) on 5 September 2024 and the High Court on 14 October 2025 and sought approval for the introduction of the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill (the Bill). The Bill amends the Social Security Act 2018 (the Act).