PWD E-Bulletin |
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Issue 47
Welcome to PWD's e-bulletin. The e-bulletin goes out to members and interested others regularly by email. For members who do not have access to email, a printed version of the e-bulletin will be sent by post. To be added to or removed from our mailing list, or to change your email address, please contact Kathryn Knight at PWD on email pwd@pwd.org.au or on one of the numbers listed at the end of this bulletin. ContentsSpecial Edition - Federal Election 2007The Federal Election will take place on 24 November 2007. This Special Edition e-bulletin provides:
What PWD is doingWhat the political parties are sayingWhat other organisations are doingAccess and votingThe inside story
About PWDPrivacy statementReturn to top |
What PWD is doing!Throughout 2007, PWD has focused on influencing the policies and election platforms of the major political parties. On 28 June 2007 we conducted a Federal Election Forum for our members and the disability sector (see our e-bulletin 43, June 2007). This Forum was an opportunity for people with disability and representatives from disability organisations to hear what politicians had to say and to ask questions about their key issues. While the Liberal and National Parties declined our invitation to send representatives, three politicians from the other major parties participated:
In preparation for the Forum, PWD developed an exposure draft Federal Election Platform to highlight the position of PWD on issues affecting people with disability. The issues raised by our members and the disability sector during the Forum were incorporated into our final 12-point platform, PWD National Agenda for Disability – Federal Election 2007. Our National Agenda urges parties, politicians and the people of Australia to take note of our issues as the countdown to the Federal Election proceeds. PWD has provided a copy of the National Agenda to all the major parties – the Liberals, the Nationals, Labor, the Greens and the Democrats. We have also invited these parties to meet with us to discuss the issues outlined in the National Agenda. With the calling of the election, PWD has concentrated its campaign on the 40 marginal electorates throughout Australia. In these electorates, there is still an opportunity to lobby candidates on issues that may influence how people vote. We have written to the candidates in these marginal electorates to seek support for the issues raised in our National Agenda. In NSW, we have also invited a number of candidates to meet with us to discuss our National Agenda more fully. For further details on our Federal Election campaigning please contact Digby Hughes. Return to top |
What the political parties are sayingMost political parties have 'disability policies'. Listed below are the website links of some political parties contesting the Federal Election where you can read their policies on disability. Many disability issues are also covered in other policy areas, such as transport, employment and access to the built environment. PWD recommends that people with disability read the relevant policies of political parties by clicking on the links below. If you are unable to find the information you require, contact Digby Hughes for assistance. Australian Democrats - No policy on disability is available on their website. Return to top |
What other organisations are doingsDisability AllianceThe Disability Alliance represents a broad network of Australians concerned about the ongoing neglect and social exclusion of Australians with disabilities. The Disability Alliance is calling for a 20% increase in current Commonwealth funding and a commitment to full annual indexation to address six key areas:
Spokesperson for the Disability Alliance, John Mayo says the campaign will give people with disability a united voice to put ‘disability’ on the election agenda and end the funding disgrace. "The Disability Alliance has prepared a funding and policy statement that represents the greatest needs for people with disability." Mr Mayo said. More information on the Disability Alliance, including how to add your support can be found online at www.disabilityalliance.org.au Campaign EnableCampaign Enable is a national initiative to gain commitment from both major political parties for three major policy initiatives:
With the slogan, 'I have a disability and I vote', Campaign Enable is focused on 15 marginal electorates where the number of people on the Disability Support Pension (DSP) is greater than (or close to) the number of votes by which the seat is held. Campaign Enable is supported by the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) and its members, and is part of the Australia Fair initiative. Australia Fair is a new national initiative to create a fair go for all Australians. More information on Campaign Enable, including how to support the campaign can be found at www.afdo.org.au/node/78 Return to top |
Access and votingElectronic voting trialsPWD has been advocating for a number of years for the rights of people with disability to participate in the electoral system. As reported in E-Bulletin Issue 46, PWD is pleased to support the electronic voting trials being conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) at the 2007 federal election. The electronic voting trials will enable electors who are blind or have a vision impairment to lodge an independent and secret vote for the first time. Previously, voters who are blind or have a vision impairment have had to rely on the assistance of a family member, friend or AEC official to complete their ballot papers. This trial allows electors to record their votes using an electronically assisted method. Electronic voting machines will be available at 29 pre-poll voting centres around Australia for two weeks before and on election day. The introduction of the electronic voting machines will enable voters who live in or near one of the 29 electorates to cast a secret and verifiable ballot. The machines will only be available to voters who have low vision such that they cannot vote without assistance. Trials are being conducted in every State and Territory. The trial locations can be found on the at AEC website Full details of the trial, including handy hints for using electronic voting machines can be found at www.aec.gov.au/Voting/e_voting/locations/index.htm Proposed Australian Electoral Commission Disability Action PlanPWD is a member of the Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) Disability Advisory Group, which provides advice on a range of issues regarding access and non-discrimination in the electoral system. Members of the Disability Advisory Group have been invited to comment on the AEC's draft Disability Action Plan (DAP) 2008-2010. The draft DAP covers issues such as the provision of accessible information, access to polling places and electronic voting. PWD will be providing comments on the DAP to the AEC. Comments close on 23 November, the day before the federal election For further information, contact Digby Hughes. Return to top |
The inside story++Annual General MeetingPWD's 2007 Annual General Meeting will be held at on Saturday 17 November. Members are invited to attend and to join the Board for drinks afterwards. Guest speaker will be Dougie Herd, Executive Officer of the NSW Disability Council. Time: 3-5pm (AGM); 5.30-7.30pm (Cocktail Party) PWD's 2006-2007 Annual Report will be available on the PWD website from Monday 12 November. Printed copies are available by contacting PWD. ++International Day of People with Disability afternoon celebrationPWD members are invited to join the Board at PWD in Redfern to celebrate the 2007 International Day for People with Disability (IDPWD). This event will be held at 3pm on Monday 3 December. Please RSVP to PWD by 28 November 2007. ++Consumer protection -- request for volunteerWould you be interested in doing some volunteer work for People with Disability Australia? PWD is seeking a volunteer for the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service and/or the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline. These teams need someone to assist them with making up files and performing some other general administration tasks. This will involve about half a day per week or per fortnight. Times and dates are flexible according to your availability. You will be provided with training. If you are interested in volunteering, or you just want to find out more, please contact Chris Rodd on (02) 9370 3174 to discuss. Return to top |
About PWDPeople with Disability Australia Incorporated (PWD) is a national disability rights and advocacy organisation. Its primary membership is people with disability and organisations primarily made up of people with disability. PWD also has a large associate membership of other individuals and organisations committed to the disability rights movement. PWD was founded in 1981, the International Year of Disabled People, to provide people with disability with a voice of our own. We have a cross-disability focus; we represent the interests of people with all kinds of disability. PWD is a non-profit, non-government organisation. For information about membership of PWD, contact the Membership Services Officer by email or on one of numbers below. Return to top |
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++PWD's training services
PWD has extensive experience in the development and delivery of professional training across a wide range of disability areas, including:
Training packages developed are flexible and tailor-made to meet the needs of the particular organisation. To find out more about PWD's training services or to discuss your specific training needs, contact Manager, Information & Education, Kathryn Knight or Ph 02 9370 3100. Return to top |
++Privacy statementWe are committed to protecting your privacy. In doing so, we commit ourselves to conforming to the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Bill 2000, which came into effect in December 2001 and the National Privacy Principles issued by the Australian Privacy Commissioner. This newsletter is distributed by email. You have provided us with an email address. This email address will be used only for the purpose for which you have provided it and you will not be added to any other mailing lists unless you specifically request that this be done. Your email address will not be disclosed without your consent. You can have your email address removed from the mailing list for this newsletter by sending an email to Kathryn Knight, PWD This newsletter contains links to websites. We cannot be held responsible for the privacy practices (or lack thereof) or the content of such websites. Return to top |
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++Contributions to E-Bulletin
Please note that PWD publishes items contributed by other organisations at our discretion. While we will assist where possible in the dissemination of information, we do not take responsibility for the promotion or advertisement of events organised by other organisations. If you would like to receive PWD E-Bulletin in an alternative format or have an enquiry, contact Kathryn Knight, PWD or by one of the means below. People with Disability Australia Incorporated |