Post by Banker on Jan 23, 2012 8:54:08 GMT 7
A Kiwi couple are suing the Queensland Government for discriminating against their disabled daughter, as Prime Minister John Key vows to discuss the treatment of Kiwis living across the ditch with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Glenda and David Campbell say the Anzac spirit is severely lacking in Australia, where they have been repeatedly denied disability services for their daughter Hannah, 19, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy, on the grounds of her citizenship.
After attempting to gain assistance for wheelchair-bound Hannah since 2006, the pair are pursuing a lawsuit against the Queensland Government for unlawful racial discrimination after failed mediation with a government department.
Kiwi-born advocate David Faulkner says the Queensland suit will be a "test case" for the treatment of Kiwis.
"This is not just about one Kiwi not getting disability services – this has massive ramifications across the country.
"Kiwis aren't coming over here to go on the dole, they are coming over here to work but it's when something horrible happens that they struggle."
The lawsuit comes after a flurry of discrimination cases involving New Zealanders living in Australia, including a nine-year-old autistic boy in Western Australia who was not allowed access to disability services, and Kiwis denied disaster recovery payouts after last summer's Queensland floods.
All Australians who intend to live in New Zealand for more than two years are entitled to claim the same social services as Kiwis.
But a 2001 Australian law change reclassified incoming New Zealanders from permanent residents to temporary ones, cutting off their right to claim many social security benefits.
Mrs Campbell, who looks after her daughter around the clock, first tried to access disability services when the family moved to Toowoomba, Queensland, from Rotorua in 2006. They were initially told they would have to wait for two years, before being told Hannah was ineligible.
"For goodness sake, we're all Anzacs when it's all said and done but there is just no support," Mrs Campbell said. "It's very difficult, we are just coping day by day."
The family were also denied a carers allowance and struggle to send Hannah to a day centre for two days a week on Mr Campbell's salary as a driver for Bus Queensland, Mrs Campbell said. "If I wasn't a Christian, I probably would have given up."
A Queensland Government spokesman said the government was committed to supporting parents and carers to care for their family member who has a disability. "In general terms to be eligible for specialist disability services in Queensland, a person must be an Australian citizen or hold a visa that gives permanent residency in Australia." He would not discuss the Campbells' case.
A spokeswoman for Mr Key said he would discuss issues about treatment of Kiwis with Australian counterpart Ms Gillard at a meeting this month.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand High Commissioner in Canberra had raised concerns with Australian state governments about policies that limited access to state-provided services.
This included the West Australian Government, which The Dominion Post reported in July was refusing to provide disability support for New Zealander Abdurahman Ismail, 9. His therapy costs about $800 a month, but would be free if he were an Australian citizen.
After an investigation by the Equal Services Commission, Abdurahman was deemed eligible, and his parents are receiving funding.
Mr Faulkner said wider "hypocrisy" remained of Kiwis being considered as permanent residents by some Australian authorities – such as the tax office – and not by others.
UNEQUAL TREATMENT
Aussies in NZ
Australians do not need a visa to live permanently in New Zealand. All Australians who intend to live in New Zealand for more than two years are eligible for the same health and disability services as New Zealanders, and can receive all social welfare benefits after two years.
Kiwis in Aussie
New Zealanders are issued with an automatic "special category visa", which is indefinite, but are classified as temporary residents. New Zealanders on this visa cannot receive social welfare payments, other than superannuation and severe disability benefits. Some Australian states refuse social services, such as disability services, public housing, and student travel concessions to New Zealanders.
goo.gl/VRhDY
Glenda and David Campbell say the Anzac spirit is severely lacking in Australia, where they have been repeatedly denied disability services for their daughter Hannah, 19, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy, on the grounds of her citizenship.
After attempting to gain assistance for wheelchair-bound Hannah since 2006, the pair are pursuing a lawsuit against the Queensland Government for unlawful racial discrimination after failed mediation with a government department.
Kiwi-born advocate David Faulkner says the Queensland suit will be a "test case" for the treatment of Kiwis.
"This is not just about one Kiwi not getting disability services – this has massive ramifications across the country.
"Kiwis aren't coming over here to go on the dole, they are coming over here to work but it's when something horrible happens that they struggle."
The lawsuit comes after a flurry of discrimination cases involving New Zealanders living in Australia, including a nine-year-old autistic boy in Western Australia who was not allowed access to disability services, and Kiwis denied disaster recovery payouts after last summer's Queensland floods.
All Australians who intend to live in New Zealand for more than two years are entitled to claim the same social services as Kiwis.
But a 2001 Australian law change reclassified incoming New Zealanders from permanent residents to temporary ones, cutting off their right to claim many social security benefits.
Mrs Campbell, who looks after her daughter around the clock, first tried to access disability services when the family moved to Toowoomba, Queensland, from Rotorua in 2006. They were initially told they would have to wait for two years, before being told Hannah was ineligible.
"For goodness sake, we're all Anzacs when it's all said and done but there is just no support," Mrs Campbell said. "It's very difficult, we are just coping day by day."
The family were also denied a carers allowance and struggle to send Hannah to a day centre for two days a week on Mr Campbell's salary as a driver for Bus Queensland, Mrs Campbell said. "If I wasn't a Christian, I probably would have given up."
A Queensland Government spokesman said the government was committed to supporting parents and carers to care for their family member who has a disability. "In general terms to be eligible for specialist disability services in Queensland, a person must be an Australian citizen or hold a visa that gives permanent residency in Australia." He would not discuss the Campbells' case.
A spokeswoman for Mr Key said he would discuss issues about treatment of Kiwis with Australian counterpart Ms Gillard at a meeting this month.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand High Commissioner in Canberra had raised concerns with Australian state governments about policies that limited access to state-provided services.
This included the West Australian Government, which The Dominion Post reported in July was refusing to provide disability support for New Zealander Abdurahman Ismail, 9. His therapy costs about $800 a month, but would be free if he were an Australian citizen.
After an investigation by the Equal Services Commission, Abdurahman was deemed eligible, and his parents are receiving funding.
Mr Faulkner said wider "hypocrisy" remained of Kiwis being considered as permanent residents by some Australian authorities – such as the tax office – and not by others.
UNEQUAL TREATMENT
Aussies in NZ
Australians do not need a visa to live permanently in New Zealand. All Australians who intend to live in New Zealand for more than two years are eligible for the same health and disability services as New Zealanders, and can receive all social welfare benefits after two years.
Kiwis in Aussie
New Zealanders are issued with an automatic "special category visa", which is indefinite, but are classified as temporary residents. New Zealanders on this visa cannot receive social welfare payments, other than superannuation and severe disability benefits. Some Australian states refuse social services, such as disability services, public housing, and student travel concessions to New Zealanders.
goo.gl/VRhDY
