David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 632 standing in the names of Senators Fierravanti-Wells, Moore and Steele-John.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that: (i) on 3 December 2017, the world observed International Day of People with a Disability, an opportunity to focus on how society can strive for inclusivity through the removal of barriers for people with disabilities,

(ii) the theme of this year’s International Day of People with a Disability is ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all’ – this reflects an ambition, grounded in the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, to empower people with disabilities to be active contributors to society through increasing access to justice, infrastructure and accessible communities,

(iii) people with a disability are the largest and most disadvantaged minority in the world and make up approximately 15 per cent of the global population – around 80 per cent of all people with a disability live in a developing country,

(iv) in developing countries, people with disabilities and their families are more likely to be poor and remain poor because of higher living costs, barriers to education, health and employment opportunities, and unpaid caring responsibilities,

(v) to be effective in reducing poverty, development efforts should be led by and must actively include and benefit people with disabilities, and

(vi) Australia’s Development for All Strategy is being implemented through the Australian aid program and through our diplomatic efforts – it aims to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities through: (A) enhancing participation and empowerment of people with disabilities as contributors, leaders and decision-makers in the community, government and the private sector,

(B) reducing poverty among people with disabilities, and

(C) improving equality of people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including service provision, education and employment; and

(b) recognises that:

(i) Australia is committed to protecting and strengthening civil society, including disabled people’s organisations, internationally,

(ii) Australia is widely regarded internationally as a global leader in many areas of promoting disability inclusive development and disability rights, and

(iii) the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper identifies the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities as a key focus for Australia’s term on the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Question agreed to.