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Friday, November 6th, 2009
Disability Parking Permit Goes National
People with disability will have access to a uniform parking permit after the Australian Transport Council today endorsed the introduction of a new national disability parking permit, which is to be rolled out across the country by the end of 2010.
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, said the Rudd Government had provided $1.6 million to develop the new universal parking permit, as part of its work towards harmonising existing parking schemes.
“The current system is confusing and outdated,” Mr Shorten said.
“With over 100 different types of parking permits and differing eligibility criteria spread across the country, it causes too much undue stress.
“The introduction of the new permit is a start towards ending this confusion and will make parking easier for the 900,000 existing and future permit holders.
“The highly visible and recognisable design will also assist interstate authorities to recognise and enforce the permit.
““All permits will include several security features to help identify legitimate holders from forgeries, including hologram foil, micro text and solar flare transition printing.
Mr Shorten said that the Rudd Government had consulted widely with the community over the development of the proposed national scheme
“The community has been closely involved in the permit’s development, with a series of national consultations conducted earlier this year providing valuable feedback.
A total of 277 people attended consultation meetings and 3,675 people contacted the call centre hotline for a copy of the discussion paper.
“The permit is a major part of the Harmonisation of the Disability Parking Schemes initiative which aims to overhaul the current disability parking schemes.
“State and Territory Transport Departments have worked with the Australian Government to progress the Scheme and will continue to work towards reaching a national eligibility criteria and minimum standards for concessions.”
Today’s endorsement by the Australian Transport Council follows the endorsement by the Community and Disability Services Ministers Conference in September and reiterates the Government’s commitment to improving and delivering services for people with disability.
The permit design can be viewed at http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/people/disability_parking_scheme/Pages/default.aspx
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