5 October 2001
People with Disabilities want to get on the Bus
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission today welcomed the Commonwealth Government's introduction of a Bill to amend the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) to allow the enactment of DDA Transport Standards.
The Standards will set out a timetable for public transport to become accessible to people with disabilities. The Bill will also enable the Commission to grant temporary exemptions from the standards to transport providers.
However, the introduction of the legislation in the dying days of the current parliament means the legislation will not be passed this year. Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes called on all political parties to commit to passing the Bill as early as feasible in the next parliament.
"I welcome the introduction of the Bill, although it has taken far too long to occur," said Deputy Commissioner Innes. "It is important that all political parties indicate their support for these Standards. People with disabilities and the transport industry have already done so, and this will mean that Standards can be passed quickly in the next term of the Parliament."
The process is a two-step one. First the Bill must be passed by Parliament, and then the Standards, which were released last Thursday, need to be tabled in each house for 14 sitting days.
The Standards confirm the 20-year timetable within which public transport providers must make their systems accessible to people with disabilities. Most operators are already well down the track towards compliance, as a draft of the Standards has been available for some time. Low floor trams operate in Melbourne, railway stations have been upgraded around the country, and many accessible buses are already running.
"State Governments, private transport operators and people with disabilities have been calling for the passage of these Standards for some time," Deputy Commissioner Innes said. "But the standards will also benefit parents with prams and older Australians. I call upon all political parties to get on the bus and publicly indicate their support."
Media contact: Janine MacDonald (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
