28 June, 2011
LIBERAL FEDERAL COUNCIL CALLS FOR A BETTER DEAL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
Senator Mitch Fifield has welcomed the Liberal Party’s call for a better deal for people with disability.
“I am very pleased that the Liberal Party Federal Council at the weekend passed a motion calling for a new deal for disability care and support,” Senator Fifield said.
“The Productivity Commission’s draft report on disability care and support, released earlier this year, presented a compelling case for change, and I’m pleased that the Liberal Party has heard the message from Australians with disability and their families.”
The motion was moved by Senator Mitch Fifield on behalf of the Tasmanian division and was passed by the 55th Liberal Party Federal Council, held over the weekend. The motion reads:
That Federal Council:
a. recognises that the current system of support for Australians with a disability is broken;
b. welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission’s Draft Report on Disability Care and Support and looks forward to the Commission’s Final Report in July;
c. notes that the Gillard Government’s annual $6 billion interest bill on its debt is equivalent to the unmet support needs of people with a disability as quantified by the Productivity Commission; and
d. calls for a system of disability support, based on need, with the individual or their family in charge and able to choose the provider of their services.
“While not binding on the Parliamentary Party, this is an important statement by the Party organisation recognising that significant change is required to provide decent support and care for people with disability.”
“I sincerely hope that the Labor Party will follow suit,” Senator Fifield said.