NSW — On 8 March
2006 the Hon. John Ryan asked the Minister for Disability
Services a question without notice regarding polling
booths disabled access.
The Minister for Disability
Services provided the following response:
(1) The Minister was not
requested to provide advice to the Electoral
Commissioner or to any employees of the State
Electoral Office.
(2) The Electoral Commissioner
advises that there is no plan for separate or
segregated voting for people with
disabilities.
(3) The State Electoral Office
advises that it is preparing an Equal
Access to the Democracy Plan for
the 2007 State General Election.
The purpose of the Plan is to
improve access to electoral services for people with
disabilities at the State General Election in March 2007.
The State Electoral Office prepared a discussion paper on
Equal Access to Democracy and circulated the document to
peak organisations prior to holding three consultations
with disability peak organisations. All suggestions from
the peak organisations are currently being considered.
The State Electoral Office will develop a Draft Equal
Access to Democracy Plan which will be circulated to the
participating peak disability bodies to enable them to
consult with their members.
The final Equal Access to Democracy
Plan is intended to satisfy the principles of the
Disability Services Act, 1993.
