Notice of application for temporary exemption: Tiger Airways

See now submissions in response and decision

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has received an application (attached in MS Word format) from Tiger Airways, dated 12 November 2007 and received 20 November 2007, requesting exemption from the Disability Discrimination Act and from the provisions of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport so far as to excuse Tiger Airways from liability for failure to provide access for persons unable to board or disembark using passenger boarding stairs. The exemption is requested for the period to 29 February 2008.

Tiger Airways indicate in their application that

• their aircraft will be using airport facilities which are generally not fitted with aerobridges
• they have ordered purpose built passenger lifting equipment
• this equipment will not however be available in time for the scheduled commencement of operations in November for which bookings and other commercial arrangements have already been entered into.

Request for submissions

In accordance with its policy on exemption applications, the Commission seeks to give interested parties an opportunity to participate in the process of considering this application.

Accordingly, the Commission seeks submissions by 18 December 2007, preferably by email to disabdis@humanrights.gov.au. The period for comments in this case has been reduced from the six weeks generally provided by the Commission to a four week period in view of the short duration of the requested exemption and the indications by Tiger Airways of a need for urgent consideration.

Submissions may also be addressed by mail to Disability Rights Unit, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, GPO Box 5218, Sydney 2001.

To promote open public discussion and exchange of views, the Commission intends to posting submissions made electronically on its Internet site. Any requests for material to be treated as confidential should be clearly indicated.

David Mason

Director Disability Rights policy, HREOC

20 November 2007