15 July, 2011
Transcript
Doorstop Interview
Launch of Gearing Up Disability Expo
Derwent Entertainment Centre
Glenorchy, Tasmania
14 July 2011
12:00pm
E & OE
Subjects: Impact of carbon tax on charities, people with disability, carers and voluntary organisations
JOURNALIST:
What does the carbon tax mean for disability organisations?
FIFIELD:
The disability and charitable sectors have been forgotten in the carbon tax debate. Organisations such as Australian Disability Enterprises that provide employment for people with disability, many of whom have intellectual impairments, will be hit hard. These enterprises in some cases have electricity bills of $100,000. So a carbon tax will add ten percent or $10,000. This is a major impost for organisations that struggle to make ends meet.
JOURNALIST:
How will it affect them?
FIFIELD:
These organisations will need to fundraise more or cut services – which the people they support, who face particular challenges, can ill afford.
JOURNALIST:
Is it appropriate to raise these issues at a disability expo? This is meant to be a happy occasion.
FIFIELD:
This disability expo is a great occasion. But it’s important to talk to disability organisations about how a carbon tax will affect them. And not just disability organisations – charitable and voluntary organisations as well. Whether it be a scout group, a footy club or a surf life saving club, they all have electricity bills and will have to fundraise more. Likewise for organisations like Uniting Care or the Salvos or Catholic Social Services. Their costs will rise and they’ll have to raise more funds or cut back services.
JOURNALIST:
Have these concerns been raised with you?
FIFIELD:
Yes – organisations have flagged their concerns and Uniting Care, Catholic Social Services and the Salvos have come out today expressing their concerns.
ENDS