Inquiry Into Disability and Immigration

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“But to reject children with Down syndrome and other disabilities shows a completely out-of-date view.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.