[Greens-Media] Greens amazed at Education Department's appeal against landmark student disability case

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

MEDIA RELEASE  -  22 June 2007

Greens amazed at Education Department's appeal against landmark student
disability case

Sue Pennicuik, MLC for the Southern Metropolitan Region has expressed
amazement at the decision of the Education Department to appeal the
decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in the case of
Rebekah Turner.

Rebekah Turner is a year 10 student who has a severe language disorder and
learning disabilities. The Department has denied her assistance since 1999.
"Rebekah sits her VCE next year and as a result of this appeal, she will go
for many more months without getting the assistance she needs," Ms
Pennicuik said.

"This decision is cruel and  inhuman", said Ms Pennicuik. "The Department
is using taxpayers' money to defend its breaches of the Equal Opportunity
Act by denying assistance to young people with disabilities in the state
education system."

The Tribunal found that the Department had discriminated against Rebekah in
breach of the Equal Opportunity Act. The Tribunal roundly criticised the
Department’s program for students with language disorders, and called for
an urgent review of the program.

"The Tribunal’s comments confirm what the Greens have long suspected – that
the Government has a deliberate policy of rationing funds for disabled and
special-needs students by restricting eligibility. I call upon the
Department to withdraw its appeal and to uphold its clear legal and moral
obligation to provide assistance to Rebekah and to other students with
disabilities," she said.

"In addition, there should be an comprehensive, independent review, to
ascertain the real level of resources needed to support Victorian students
with disabilities and to tailor the program accordingly," Ms Pennicuik
said.

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For further comment:  Sue Pennicuik:     0407 000 270





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