National Disability Parking Scheme 11/02/2010
National Disability Parking Scheme News.
BILL SHORTEN MP. Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services and Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction Thursday, February 11, 2010
Widespread support for upcoming national disability parkingschemeA national parking scheme for people with disability is a step closer following therelease of a summary of consultations on the proposed scheme which endorses theRudd Government's plan for the national scheme.
A new national disability parking permit design will be rolled out by July 2010, and discussions with the States and Territories and disability and medical groups are continuing to determine the final eligibility and concessions of the national scheme.
The final scheme will be agreed on this year and will deliver a more consistent system for the estimated 900,000 disability parking permit holders across Australia.The majority of submissions to the review said there was a need for consistent eligibility criteria across Australia, and that a national scheme would make it less confusing for people with disability who travelled interstate.
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten, said the consultations backed better enforcement of penalties against those who breakparking rules by the States."It is clear that people with disability rely on disability parking schemes and want to see them better enforced," Mr Shorten said.
"The consultations also endorse the commitment of disability ministers to create ascheme where no existing permit-holder will be worse off." Any uniform concessions that are imposed will be minimum standards, with the Stateswho have more generous concessions for permit holders able to maintainthem."Doctors will still recommend who is eligible for a disability permit."Mr Shorten said the current system was confusing and stressful, with over 100different types of parking permits and differing eligibility criteria depending on whereyou go in Australia."
"Disability parking schemes give independence and dignity to many Australians withlimited mobility," Mr Shorten said.We want to make sure we get this national scheme right, which is why wehavetaken the time to consult widely with the public and key organisations
.For a copy of the consultation report go tohttp://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/people/disability_parking_scheme/summary_report