The Australian Greens have called on the Morrison Government to urgently prioritise disabled people, and disability support workers, in the national vaccine roll out after it was revealed that just 6.5% of this cohort have received their first dose.

Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said:

"This is absolutely shameful. It's clear that the Morrison government has once again forgotten to include disabled people, and the people who support us, in their pandemic response.

The Australian Greens will oppose renewed attempts by the Government to stop access to the Disability Support Pension for those who enter the system with a disability as a result of addiction.

“The Australian Greens and Labor managed to strike out this harsh measure with a disallowance motion last year which was supported by the Senate", Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today. 

"It is cruel and harsh to refuse the disability support pension to someone because they have a disability as a result of addiction.

A Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) report that shows a sharp slowdown in expenditure for the Disability Support Pension (DSP) should not be seen as a positive thing by the Turnbull Government, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert today. 

“The Liberal-National Government have been making it more difficult for people accessing the Disability Support Pension, in 2015 the-then Abbott Government announced reviews for DSP recipients under 35 and then started on those over 35. 

The Human Rights Watch report that details harrowing systemic abuse of people with disability in prisons should trigger a Royal Commission into abuse, violence and neglect of people with disability in institutional settings, say the Australian Greens. 

The Senate has supported a motion calling on the Government to reconsider its decision and commit to a Royal Commission into the violence, abuse and neglect of people with disability in institutional and residential settings. 

“The abuse of people with disability in settings where they should feel safe and at home is prevalent and systemic, and the Government has no interest in truly addressing it”, Australian Greens spokesperson on Disabilities SenatorJordon Steele-John said today. 

The news that a young man with disability had been kept in jail because of a failure to find him appropriate accommodation is absolutely heartbreaking and exposes the failure of our systems to address this issue, Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“It’s another example of how far we have to go in getting the NDIS right and the urgency of addressing indefinite detention of people with cognitive impairments. It’s absolutely unacceptable to have situations like this occurring.

The Government needs to act immediately on the Productivity Commission findings including planning for a new timeline for the NDIS rollout, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“Many people including the Greens have been raising the issues outlined in the Productivity Commission report for a long time now, and our concerns have been ignored for far too long.

“The Greens support a fully funded NDIS, but it cannot come from our most vulnerable through cuts to the social safety net and the social security portfolio”, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“This is robbing Peter to pay Paul and I’m sure people with disability and their carers would be uncomfortable that the scheme came off the back of people who are struggling.

“I urge the Government to turn to revenue raising measures that have repeatedly been flagged by the Greens and others, such as addressing negative gearing and capital gains tax”.

A report by National Disability Services (NDS) designed to ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme stays on track to deliver the best services possible for people with disability is an important intervention and should be considered alongside other feedback the Government receives, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“Senator Brandis: step out of your ivory tower, and attempt to call Centrelink. Be prepared for a wake-up call”,  Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“This is the struggle being experienced by constituents that you are meant to represent.

“I have personally witnessed my constituents wait for hours trying to get through to Centrelink. People dealing with Centrelink are exasperated and stressed.

“Hundreds of people have emailed and called my office to detail their experiences. I can assure you that the system is almost impossible to navigate.