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CONTENTS
PADP - "Once More Unto The Breach Dear Friends" …?"As we reported in our last bulletin, the state wide PADP Advisory Committee held on 29 June was a deeply depressing, thoroughly frustrating and very negative gathering. There were clear indications given at the meeting - and on the ABC's 7.30 Report - that NSW Health has retreated from the agreements reached in principle earlier in the year. Representatives of the disability sector met at PDCN on 7 July to agree a response to the revised NSW Health position. We agreed:
Following the disability sector meeting, PDCN wrote (on 12 July) to Michael Reid, Director General of NSW Health, to express the disability community's concerns. We have still not received a reply. A response, of sorts, was aired during a feature on PADP issues broadcast by ABC's 7.30 Report on 14 July. We understand that NSW Health's current position includes:
The disability sector representatives have agreed that we must reverse this new position, by using public action if necessary. Although we would prefer it if the Government and their two departments - Health and ADD - would just stick to the agreement they reached in March. The position of the disability sector is clear: We will not participate in the reference groups / working party proposed by NSW Health to "re-examine" the decision of March 2000 (something they indicated might take another 6 months.) We will agree, however, to participate, in a single review committee with a very clear purpose and a reasonable timetable to help the Health Department to review the paperwork and get it ready to pass on to Ministers. We want to see these papers by mid-August and we believe that it is perfectly feasible for the final policy guidance to be ready by the end of August. After all, we've been working on this for over 18 months. Fearing that NSW Health are retreating fast from their agreement to a new set of eligibility criteria, we will begin to prepare for public action on PADP. Watch this space. We are determined not to give up the fight on PADP unless and until we win a fair system that meets the needs of all people with disability in NSW. We don't fully understand why NSW Health is back-tracking. Even if they agreed with us by doubling the budget and making all people with disability eligible, the cost of PADP would still be a tiny, tiny fraction of the total annual health budget. NSW Health, ADD and the Government should understand that people with disability are indescribably angry at the delay, retreat and prevarication on PADP. We're angry but we're organised and we intend to have our say! ORTA - Another defeat in a court and new challengeThe defeat(s) ORTA has lost another case in its attempt to circumvent the laws of Australia which say that people with disability ought not to be unfairly discriminated against. The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal of Queensland has issued an Order (dated 17 July) giving the preliminary view of Tribunal member Philip Tahmindjis that ORTA's application for exemption from Queensland's Anti Discrimination Act should be rejected. The final judgement, based on the Preliminary View, will be announced on 26 July. In his lengthy and detailed statement Mr. Tahmindijs makes the following comments: "On balance, I do not consider that making an already disadvantaged group pay this price [of creating a showcase service at the Olympics] will sufficiently accord with the objects of the ADA and the international human rights instruments on which it is based." and "The purpose of the present application is not to provide … equality of treatment for people with disabilities in Sydney, or anywhere else, except during the period of the Games. The present case appears to be directed more to short-term immediate advantage rather than towards long-term addressing of the problems of people with disabilities." So let's remind ourselves of the state of play. ACT - withdrew from the HREOC application and will provide no buses to ORTA. QUEENSLAND - Rejects ORTA application in Preliminary View SOUTH AUSTRALIA - Refuses to release any buses to ORTA VICTORIA - Rejects ORTA application We wait with bated breath to be told the decision of the Anti-Discrimination Board of New South Wales. The new challenge to ORTA We cannot write too much about this for the moment (for reasons that ORTA be clear to everyone). Following discussions between PDCN, People With Disabilities NSW and the Disability Discrimination Legal Centre, we have submitted an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal asking that the HREOC decision be reversed. As soon as we know more we'll let you know. Welfare Reform Public Lecture - 27 JulyFree public lecture to be held Lawrence Mead, Professor of Politics, New York University will give a free public lecture on 'Welfare Reform: Implications for Citizenship' at Macquarie University next Thursday 27th July at 4pm in Building C5C, Room T1. Prof. Mead is an influential proponent of welfare reform, and author of The New Politics of Poverty and Beyond Entitlement: The Social Obligations of Citizenship. Ticket parking is available in designated areas at $5 per hour or part thereof. For more information, contact Michael Fine, on 9850 8037 or michael.fine@mq.edu.au Draft Education Standard Consultation - 31 AugustThe Ministerial Taskforce on Employment, Education and Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) has released a draft education standard. There will be a formal consultation in NSW on Thurs 31st August. Particulars will be notified as they come to hand. PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY! An education standard is very, very important. A weak standard can provide the greatest barrier to inclusion. Your attention to this is important. People With Disability From A Non-English Speaking BackgroundCopies of the document "Less Talk, More Action" are now available for purchase from MDAA for $15 + GST each.from MDAA, PO Box 1422, Parramatta NSW 2124 or by making arrangements through mdaa@healey.com.au This report documents the issues facing people from non-English Speaking Background with disability and recommends a range of strategies to help government and service providers meet their policy and legislative requirements. The document was launched at a recent state-wide consumer conference which covered issues such as:
Carer / Family Burn out - carers and family members of people from a NESB with disability do not access support services until crisis point, significantly increasing the risk of incurring disability themselves. MDAA are hopeful that the conference and the report will lead to the development of culturally competent services for people from a NESB with disability. Job Opportunities: Ageing And Disability DepartmentSENIOR POLICY OFFICER (2 positions - one permanent & one temporary for 12 months) - closing date Friday 28 July. The positions are in ADD’s Disability Policy, located in Sydney. Enquiries should be to Helen Menzies helen.menzies@add.nsw.gov.au while an information package is available from michelle.settree@add.nsw.gov.au Research Survey - Costs Of Service Provision For Students With Disabilities In Higher EducationThe University of New South Wales has commissioned a project to regenerate debate on the issue of financial support for students with disabilities in higher education. Copies of the survey are available from yvette_devlin@primus.com.au. Research Surveys - Sexuality And Physical DisabilityThe Sexuality, Body Image and Physical Disability Research Project at Deakin University is seeking people with physical disabilities as well as people WITHOUT disabilities for an online survey. The comparative data will be used to look at the possible differences that exist between the experiences of people with, and without, physical disability. The survey for people with a Physical Disability is available from
This research will assist to advance our knowledge on the sexuality and body image concerns that are associated with physical disability. The research is being managed by George Taleporos form Deakin University Research Survey Of Parents With DisabilityWe have received notification of a research survey being conducted in England in parenting and disability. If you are interested and want to know more, please contact the researcher Leigh Fiorentino at sop98lf@sheffield.ac.uk Dougie Herd, PDCN Executive
Officer Tel (02) 9552 1606; 1 800 688 831
PDC NSW Inc. is funded by the NSW Government's Ageing and Disability Department. Views expressed by PDC NSW Inc. are not necessarily endorsed by the NSW Government.
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