[Greens-Media] Lack of disability funding drives civil disobedience

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Lack of disability funding drives civil disobedience

"More funding is urgently needed to address unmet need in the disability
sector," said Senator Rachel Siewert, the Australian Greens spokesperson
on disabilities today.

Senator Siewert is calling on Federal, State and Territory Ministers to
increase funding to disabilities, when they meet today in Brisbane to
discuss the new Disability Agreement (CSTDA).

"How sad is it that people with disabilities have to stage 'sit-ins' at
Parliamentarians offices to draw attention to their plight?" she asked.

"It is widely acknowledged that there is a huge problem with unmet need
in disabilities support services in this country," said Senator Siewert.


"The disabilities Ministers must agree to increase resources to address
this unmet need."

"A Senate committee inquiry into the CSDTA late last year unanimously
recommended that resources for disabilities services be substantially
increased, yet the Commonwealth is saying 'no new resources'," said
Senator Siewert.

"How is this possible in a supposedly prosperous country?" she asked.

"I support the actions of desperate people with disabilities in seeking
to highlight this issue, but regret that such desperate action is needed
to draw attention to such an obviously worthy cause," she concluded.

	           
For more information or comment call 
Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025

Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au

RESCUE THE SENATE


Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens spokesperson on Community Services

Tuesday 3rd April 2007