Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-03-20 Daily Xml

Contents

Transport Subsidy Scheme

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Human Services a question about the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme.

Leave granted.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Dr David Squirrell, a retired medical consultant and current president of Blind Citizens Australia, is a long-time advocate for the rights of South Australians living with a visual disability. Dr Squirrell is particularly concerned about the impending cut to the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme and the impact this will have on the ability of visually impaired South Australians to get to school, to work and to essential medical appointments. My question to the minister is: under your proposed scheme—if you have a proposed scheme—will the minister ensure that Dr Squirrell will continue to be supported by the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:26): I thank the honourable member for her question. Once again, the Labor Party in opposition—it has only been 12 months and their proximity to having access to advisers and departmental advice is really starting to show their own inadequacies. That aside, the NDIS provides a transport component for participants who have transitioned, and the matter of the transport subsidies is something that I have discussed with minister Stephan Knoll. It is within his ministerial responsibilities, so I will refer it to him.