Posted on the DICE website: http://www.dice.org.au/front/p0204065.pdf The media release specifically mentions people with intellectual disabilities-- but, of course, *all* people with disabilities are likely to be affected. ----- PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA | THE SENATE SENATOR CHRIS EVANS LABOR SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILY SERVICES AND THE AGED MEDIA RELEASE LIVING STANDARDS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES UNDER THREAT FROM HOWARD�S GST �The living standards of people with an intellectual disability are under threat from the Howard Government�s GST package and it�s inadequate compensation�, Senator Chris Evans said today. �Under the Howard Government�s compensation package, people with an intellectual disability living on a pension will benefit a paltry $2.54 per week�, Senator Evans said. The National Council on Intellectual Disability told the Senate Community Affairs Committee that people with a disability, on very low incomes, have to count every dollar they spend, and compensation of 4% to offset all GST-based increases is just not enough. They highlighted that someone on $75,000 p.s. will in comparison get $68/week in tax cuts. Disability groups appearing before the Senate Community Affairs Committee have argued that the compensation offered to the disabled is inadequate. �Their needs and costs have not been part of the Government�s calculations�, Senator Evans said. �If - as is becoming clear - the compensation is inadequate these disabled people will be further disadvantaged. If you are living on less than $200 per week then every dollar counts�. NICA also said in evidence that any shortfall in compensation would mean disabled people would be unable to afford simple pleasures like bus fares to go out on the weekend. The National Carers� Association have found in a recent study that carers and their families spend an extraordinary 26% of disposable household income on health and community care and disability related costs. In addition, the Committee also reviewed a cost of living study undertaken by the Australian Quadriplegic Association which revealed that people with quadriplegic who live on the disability pension spend on average half their income on costs directly related to their disability. �The Howard Government is putting at risk the health and well being of people with a disability,� Senator Evans said. �Their narrow financial assumptions are not based on the reality of the lives of people with disabilities.� Inquiries: Tim Friedrich (02) 62773883 4 February 1999 Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
