Australia —
Highlights of the Greens’ policies for people with
disabilities
Dignity and
independence
The Greens aim to give Australians
with disabilities the right and opportunity to fulfil
their ambitions and potential. Nearly 20% of the
population has a disability or impairment imposing mild
to profound limitations on their capability to undertake
specific activities. With resources and support, people
with disabilities can take control of their own lives to
the extent possible, participate in school and work, and
be confident valued contributors to the community and
society.
Living
Ensure the right of people with
disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, to
independence, self-determination and choice in their
lives, including in financial affairs and personal and
sexual relationships.
Double the Carer Allowance from $45
per week to $90 per week for parents, partners, relatives
and friends who act as carers. Cost $700 million per
annum.
Ensure access to a range of
appropriate housing options, including independent living
where possible.
Urgently expand respite care
services and facilities, in-home and emergency supports,
crisis accommodation and a range of supported
accommodation options.
Abolish the $2.5 billion per annum
Private Health Insurance rebate and redirect the funds to
public health services.
Oppose the Australia-US Free Trade
Agreement which threatens to increase the costs of
medicines and undermine the Pharmaceutical Benefits
Scheme.
Remove the GST from specialist
aids, devices, appliances and services for people with
disabilities.
Develop a Commonwealth-led national
framework for people with complex care requirements,
taking into account age, disability, accommodation,
support needs, and expectations.
Working
Increase funding for workforce
programs and job creation and, specifically, release the
funding for the $258 million four-year training and
employment package for people with disabilities announced
by the government in 2002 and never
implemented.
Remove coercive work requirements
from the Disability Support Pension.
Allow full tax-deductibility of the
costs of aids, devices, special equipment or services
which directly assist people with disabilities in finding
and maintaining employment.
Enhance the provision of
infrastructure and interpersonal support for people in
jobs.
Participating
Ensure that people with
disabilities are integrally involved in decision making
across society, including in relation to services for
people with disabilities.
Create national standards for
access to buildings, public spaces, and public transport
that remove the barriers faced by people with
disabilities.
Provide affordable accessible
communications services.
Ensure access to a diverse range of
sporting, recreational, leisure and cultural programs,
including by providing facilities and support personnel
and, where possible, support for integrating people with
disabilities into mainstream activities.
More information
Katrina Willis, 02 6277 3170, 0419 704 095
www.greens.org.au
