Ministerial Statement: Brochures make transport access easier

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
09/11/2011

Brochures make transport access easier

The State Government has launched a new education campaign providing an easy guide for Queenslanders who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to safely travel on footpaths and access public transport.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said a series of publications would provide important information about transport access to mobility device users, retailers and passenger transport operators.

"These brochures provide travel and device safety information for mobility scooter users, from when they leave their front door to when they arrive at their destination," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"They will make it easier for people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to identify which devices are suitable for use on public transport, and will help them to buy the correct device for their needs.

"The brochures provide clarity on state and Commonwealth legislative requirements relating to mobility aids."

Ms Palaszczuk said the number of people needing mobility devices to access passenger transport would increase with the ageing of the population over the next decade.

"The need for guidance for safe travel for mobility device users will become more vital as the number of users increases, so we are proactively preparing for the future," she said.

"By 2021, there will be almost one million people aged 65 years and over living in Queensland, which is almost twice as many as in the 2006 census.

"Access to public transport is crucial to these people, their families and carers, to fully participate in community life and carry out their daily business on an equal basis with others."

Ms Palaszczuk said government initiatives, including the publication of these education materials had increased opportunities for people with disability and older Queenslanders to be mobile and travel more freely.

"The brochures provide education and guidance on registration requirements for motorised wheelchairs," she said.

"This ensures users can get to public transport lawfully and safely as well as accessing public transport vehicles. It will help them to travel more easily to their destinations - to the shops, hospital appointments or anywhere else independently and with confidence.

"These brochures demonstrate our commitment to fairly connecting people within our diverse communities to essential services such as employment, education, and other necessities."

The brochures are available on the Transport and Main Roads website at www.tmr.qld.gov.au.

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[mufreight]

And when did you say the election will be, obviously sooner than later and the Government will now suffocate the state with ? "Ministerial Statements" election propaganda with the taxpayers again footing the bill.
It is an unfortunately increasing trend that all such announcements about information are only made in the weeks preceeding thecalling of an election.