Sheltered workshop petition tabled in Parliament

ACT Deputy leader Muriel Newman today tabled a petition opposing the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Bill.

Marion Miller, who has a disabled son, travelled from Invercargill to present the petition, which has more than 7000 signatures, to Dr Newman on the steps of Parliament.

The petition calls for the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act 1960 to be delayed until full consultation is carried out with those affected.

Dr Newman said families feared that the repeal of the Act will force sheltered workshops to close.

"By requiring the workshops to pay the minimum wage to workers with impaired productivity their viability will be threatened," she said. "Families of the disabled fear that if their sheltered workshop is forced to close and their family member is sent home, this will have a serious detrimental effect on their lives."

"The families say there has been no consultation with them since the bill's first reading in May 2004," Dr Newman said. "Consultation was totally inadequate.

The 7000 supporters of the petition want to see proper consultation taking place. In other words they want a fair go."

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