Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Senator Mitch Fifield, has today extended his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of disability advocate Dr Paul Collier who has died following a brain haemorrhage at the weekend.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of Paul’s passing,” Senator Fifield said.
“Paul was a great advocate for disability rights. His tireless commitment to the community and his strong belief in extending the same basic human rights and choices to everyone, with or without a disability, was inspiring.
“His wish was for everyone to have the same opportunities to achieve their goals.
“To lose a person like Paul is devastating, but his vision for equal rights and a better deal for people with disabilities will continue.”
Paul became an advocate for disability rights following a motor vehicle accident in which he suffered a major spinal injury.
Since then he had worked tirelessly for people with disabilities and had served on numerous federal boards including the Australian Broadcasting Commission Advisory Council, Arts Access Australia and the National Disability Advisory Council.
Dr Collier, who was running for an Upper House seat in the South Australian state election, was rushed to the Flinders Medical Centre on Saturday but passed away on Tuesday night.