Post by Banjo on Aug 17, 2011 7:03:39 GMT 7
Disability changes to rely on Coalition
JULIA Gillard will have to rely on the opposition to get tough new restrictions on the disability pension through parliament after the Greens signalled they would oppose the changes.
One in four applicants for the disability pension is likely to be ineligible under new impairment tables before parliament.
Greens welfare spokeswoman Rachel Siewert says the changes "are designed to restrict access to disability support, not help people into the workforce" and would force disabled people to survive on just $34 day.
A spokesman for Senator Siewert said the Greens were "not disposed to support the bill unless the Senate inquiry into the tables can prove the changes will be beneficial".
The Greens' stand means the government will have to rely on the opposition to get the measures through the Senate, where the Greens hold the balance of power.
Opposition disabilities spokesman Mitch Fifield said yesterday the new impairment tables were "a step forward".
"It's appropriate that the impairment tables be reviewed from time to time. Changing assessments so they are based on the capacity of an individual to work rather than on a medical diagnosis shifts the focus back on to a person's ability," he said. He wants the new impairment tables to be evaluated 18 months after they take effect.
The new tables are the first changes to the eligibility rules since 1993 and will require people with a hearing impairment to be assessed with their hearing aid in for the first time. Obesity and chronic pain will no longer be grounds for pension eligibility.
Instead of relying on a medical diagnosis, the new tables will focus on what work or training a person with a disability can do.
The new tables are among a raft of new restrictions on the disability pension, which is now paid to 800,000 Australians.
From next month, disability pension applicants will have to prove they have tried to find work before they can qualify and this is expected to mean 18,000 will have their claims rejected.
The National Welfare Rights Network has calculated that two-thirds of new applicants for the disability pension will be denied the payment from January as a result of the combined effect of these changes.
www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/disability-changes-to-rely-on-coalition/story-fn59niix-1226116317649
JULIA Gillard will have to rely on the opposition to get tough new restrictions on the disability pension through parliament after the Greens signalled they would oppose the changes.
One in four applicants for the disability pension is likely to be ineligible under new impairment tables before parliament.
Greens welfare spokeswoman Rachel Siewert says the changes "are designed to restrict access to disability support, not help people into the workforce" and would force disabled people to survive on just $34 day.
A spokesman for Senator Siewert said the Greens were "not disposed to support the bill unless the Senate inquiry into the tables can prove the changes will be beneficial".
The Greens' stand means the government will have to rely on the opposition to get the measures through the Senate, where the Greens hold the balance of power.
Opposition disabilities spokesman Mitch Fifield said yesterday the new impairment tables were "a step forward".
"It's appropriate that the impairment tables be reviewed from time to time. Changing assessments so they are based on the capacity of an individual to work rather than on a medical diagnosis shifts the focus back on to a person's ability," he said. He wants the new impairment tables to be evaluated 18 months after they take effect.
The new tables are the first changes to the eligibility rules since 1993 and will require people with a hearing impairment to be assessed with their hearing aid in for the first time. Obesity and chronic pain will no longer be grounds for pension eligibility.
Instead of relying on a medical diagnosis, the new tables will focus on what work or training a person with a disability can do.
The new tables are among a raft of new restrictions on the disability pension, which is now paid to 800,000 Australians.
From next month, disability pension applicants will have to prove they have tried to find work before they can qualify and this is expected to mean 18,000 will have their claims rejected.
The National Welfare Rights Network has calculated that two-thirds of new applicants for the disability pension will be denied the payment from January as a result of the combined effect of these changes.
www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/disability-changes-to-rely-on-coalition/story-fn59niix-1226116317649
