Queensland senator Sue Boyce today urged families and organisations interested in disability to participate in the Parliamentary Inquiry into Migration Treatment of Disability.
The terms of reference are:
To report on the options to properly assess the economic and social contribution of people with a disability and their families seeking to migrate to Australia;
To report on the impact on funding for, and availability of, community services for people with a disability moving to Australia either temporarily or permanently;
To report on whether the balance between the economic and social benefits of the entry and stay of an individual with a disability, and the costs and use of services by that individual, should be a factor in a visa decision;
To report on how the balance between costs and benefits might be determined and the appropriate criteria for making a decision based on that assessment; and
To report on a comparative analysis of similar migrant receiving countries.
Senator Boyce, who is a member of the Committee, said: “I can accept that if anyone in a family seeking to migrate to Australia has serious health issues, we have every right to reject them.
“But to reject children with Down syndrome and other disabilities shows a completely out-of-date view.
“Down syndrome is not a disease. Most children with Down syndrome do not have ongoing medical conditions and can contribute positively to Australia.”
The deadline for written submissions is October 28, 2009.
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