NDIS supporters' plea to Newman
DISABILITY does not discriminate. It could happen to anyone, at anytime. Even you.
It's easy for those not affected by disability to forget about that thought, until it strikes a friend, loved one or yourself.
Queenslanders with disability, carers and families were unsurprisingly outraged when Premier Campbell Newman refused to commit state funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme despite New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory being prepared for launch.
The Federal Government has since ruled out using Commonwealth funds to set up a NDIS trial site in Queensland.
Following the decision, Queensland state co-ordinator for Every Australian Counts Fiona Anderson posted a blog online which criticised the state government's priorities.
"While the racing industry receives $110 million in state government funding support, our government could not find $20 million to invest in people with disability to contribute towards a launch site," she said.
"Unlike the other states, Premier Newman repeatedly stated he would not offer any funding towards the NDIS, even though Queensland spends the least amount of money per person with disability of any state in Australia.
"Disability won't happen to everyone but it could happen to anyone, anytime. All Australians deserve the peace of mind that would come with knowing that support will be there if they need it."
Caboolture Physical Disability Support Network president Matt McCracken said the community was very disappointed by the decision.
"There are so many people who are down and out and disappointed because of one person cutting this and cutting that," Mr McCracken said.
"It's our community; decisions shouldn't come from one person who thinks he is higher than everyone else in the state,
"Mr Newman won't be Premier for life; people with disabilities don't have that luxury."
Mr McCracken said he was let down by his local members when it came to the scheme.
"The thing that upsets me the most is that before these people were voted in they were all 'yes, yes, yes' to NDIS.
"It really disturbs me that they got voted in on good values but now those values are gone. It's bloody insulting."
Mr McCracken urged those in support of NDIS to sign an e-petition which aims to encourage the government to fund an NDIS trial in Queensland.
The petition can be found at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petition?PetNum=1937.
