Media Contact: Ben Ruse
0407 030 808
Media Release
BILL SHORTEN MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services
Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Widespread support for upcoming national disability parking
scheme
A national parking scheme for people with disability is a step closer following the
release of a summary of consultations on the proposed scheme which endorses the
Rudd 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 break disability
parking 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 a
scheme where no existing permit-holder will be worse off.
“Any uniform concessions that are imposed will be minimum standards, with the States
who have more generous concessions for permit holders able to maintain them.
“Doctors will still recommend who is eligible for a disability permit.”
Mr Shorten said the current system was confusing and stressful, with over 100
different types of parking permits and differing eligibility criteria depending on where
you go in Australia.”
“Disability parking schemes give independence and dignity to many Australians with
limited mobility,” Mr Shorten said.
“We want to make sure we get this national scheme right, which is why we have
taken the time to consult widely with the public and key organisations.
For a copy of the consultation report go to
mmary_report
Media Contact: Ben Ruse
0407 030 808
NEWS 
