[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_International Day of People with Disability_C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY, TREASURER MUST RULE OUT
A $7 MILLION FUNDING CUT

Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens Shadow Health and Human Services Spokesperson

Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Federal Treasurer to
categorically rule out the possibility that disability funding to
Tasmania will be slashed by $7 million over four years as a result of
the latest COAG reforms to the sector.

Greens Shadow Human Services spokesperson Cassy O'Connor MP said Federal
Labor MPs and Senators should be making sure that the COAG funding
package announced last weekend does not rely solely on population
projections and therefore disadvantage Tasmania, which has Australia's
highest percentage of people living with disabilities at 23%.

"Labor Members, Duncan Kerr, Dick Adams, Julie Collins, Sid Sidebottom
and Jodie Campbell will surely be working together to get this message
to the Federal Treasurer and ensure people living with disabilities in
Tasmania do not suffer this massive funding cut, while other Australian
States - with the exception of South Australia - receive increased
disability funding," Ms O'Connor said. 

"There is a ten day window of opportunity here before the
State/Commonwealth agreement on disability funding is finalised.   The
disability sector in Tasmania needs clarity, and fast.  There is no way
any cut, intentional or otherwise, is acceptable when the sector has
such enormous unmet needs in Tasmania."

"Tasmanian people living with disabilities have long been neglected by
State and Commonwealth governments, so the injection of new funds is
long overdue."

"Disability is a human rights issue, and a defining aspect of social
inclusion policy.  People who live with disabilities - and in Tasmania
that's roughly a quarter of the population - are entitled to every
freedom and right enjoyed by those of us who are not living with
disabilities."

"As the Greens' Human Services spokesperson, I find working with the
disability sector extremely rewarding and I've made some fine friends
who have taught me much about how hard it can be to live with a
disability, and how prevalent discrimination remains in the wider
community."

Ms O'Connor attended the National Disability Services breakfast with
stakeholders in Hobart this morning; Oak Enterprises photographic
exhibition at lunchtime; and later the Premier's announcement of a
whole-of-government Disability Action Plan which has the Greens' support
as a positive step towards ending discrimination against people with
disabilities in Tasmania, and supporting the sector that delivers
disability services in the community.




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