[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE (17 July): Australian Greens welcome action to improve disability inclusive development

[Jegatheeswaran, Brami (Jegan) (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

MEDIA RELEASE
17 July 2013

Australian Greens welcome action to improve Disability Inclusive Development

The Australian Greens overseas aid spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has joined the campaign for an AusAID Ambassador for Disability Inclusive Development.

The Australian Disability+Development Consortium (ADDC) have identified that such a position would provide a targeted approach towards improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in developing countries.

"This important initiative should get cross-party support from Labor and the Coalition", Senator Rhiannon said.

"Addressing issues that affect the poor and vulnerable in our aid and development programs needs to be a priority.

"People with disabilities are at a much higher risk of poverty and those living in poverty are at a higher risk of acquiring a disability.

"Both inclusion and empowerment are important to break the cycle and I commend the ADDC for their leadership and the 'we D.I.D it' day of action.

"I am sure the Australian public would be proud to welcome this appointment.

"The Greens have introduced a bill to firm up Australia's commitment to aid.

"The bill will legislate for Australia to meet the UN target for official development assistance (ODA) of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2020.  The bill will also establish an Independent Office of Aid Effectiveness as a watchdog to independently verify that aid is spent efficiently and effectively.

"An AusAID Ambassador for Disability Inclusive Development is consistent with the changes we envisage are needed in our overseas aid and development work," Senator Rhiannon said.

For more details 'we D.I.D it -  visit http://www.addc.org.au/.

Contact - 0487 350 880



Brami Jegan
Media Adviser
Office of Senator Lee Rhiannon | Australian Greens Senator for New South Wales

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