e-Blast: New parking reforms announced that will benefit Queenslanders with disability
QDN commends the Palaszczuk Government on reforms passed this week which make those with vision loss eligible for disability parking permits for the first time. This reform will be supported by the doubling of the existing fine for drivers who illegally use disability parking spaces. These changes come into effect from 31 August 2020.
Nigel Webb, QDN Chairperson of the Board of Directors said today “This important change will ensure people with diverse disability that need disability parking for access and safety can get what they need. It also means that people without disability parking permits, who choose to illegally park in these designated places will be fined. I know that this reform has been the result of a lot of work over a long period of time by many of QDN’s members and other disability member organisations and allies to work collectively to get change.”
QDN member Elisha Matthews, founder of disability advocacy group No Permit, No Park has strongly led the campaign to try and get a range of measures in place to deter people from illegally parking in disability parking spaces. QDN also acknowledges the work of other Queenslanders with disability and disability advocacy organisations for people with vision impairment who have long been advocating around the changes for eligibility of disability parking permits for people with vision impairment. This expanded criterion will now make Queensland consistent with Federal Government Social Security Guide.
The Queensland Government website will have up to date information to let people know when they can apply for a parking permit under the new rules and information can be found here. More information about the eligibility criteria and new applications for people who have been diagnosed as legally blind will be available here soon.
CEO Paige Armstrong said “The collaborative action of people and government working together to learn from the collective experiences and wisdom of people with disability has shown how involving people with disability in the designing of solutions can deliver positive change in people’s lives”.
QDN looks forward to learning of the outcome of future discussion at a national level on the Transport and Infrastructure Council, were the Palaszczuk Government will work towards a nationally consistent approach.
A copy of the media release can be found here.