Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) 80 per cent of people with a disability live in developing countries,

(ii) over 20 per cent of the world's poorest people in developing countries have a disability,

(iii) children with a disability are much less likely to attend school than children without a disability, and

(iv) it is estimated that armed conflict will be the eighth most common cause of disability worldwide by 2020; and

(b) urges the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and all those involved in progressing development policy and programs to ensure budget and accountability measures are in place with reference to implementing a multi-partisan commitment to disability-inclusive development.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Promoting sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction is the key goal of Australia's aid program. People with a disability and their families are disproportionately affected by poverty. Australia is a leader in disability-inclusive development. It is an important part of the government's new aid policy. The Australian government is developing a new strategy for disability-inclusive development for the period post 2015 and has been consulting widely over the course of the year with stakeholders. Australia is using its aid program to promote equal access to services, provide disability-inclusive education, including scholarships for promising young leaders, and remove physical barriers through investments in infrastructure.

Question agreed to.