Linda Kirk (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Community Services, Senator Scullion. Is the minister aware of the many people with disabilities who have called talkback radio over the last two days expressing their anger at being overlooked in Tuesday’s budget? Is he aware of Leanne from Kilburn, who rang the ABC in Adelaide? She said: ‘I am really disappointed. The so-called budget for everyone ignores once again people on disability support pension. What are we? Are we nothing?’ Also, has the minister read the media release from the Gippsland Carers Association which starts with the sentence, ‘People with severe and profound dependent disabilities are the biggest losers in the Howard government budget spree’? Can the minister explain why, when we have a surplus of over $10 billion, there are no new measures in the budget for people with disabilities?