I make the following points in relation to the application for exemption for accessible busses.
1 Ministerial Commitment
As a journalist, I attended the 1996 Atlanta media briefing given by the NSW Minister for the Olympics / Paralympics.
At this media conference I questioned the Minister about the problems of physical access throughout Sydney, and specifically the appalling lack of accessible public transport. He assured the worlds media that Sydney would be ready to meet the access needs of visitors with a disability.
The proposed exception, at this late stage, clearly shows that the NSW Government has FAILED in their undertaking.
2 Some people have organised their lives based on accessible bus services
Once again people with a disability are expected to rearrange their lives because of the incompetence and intransigence of Ministers, their public servants, and the bus lobby.
I am totally opposed to the idea that people with a disability in other states should have to modify their lives because accessible busses will be transferred to Sydney for the convenience of the NSW Government.
If the exemption is to go, the NSW Government must be compelled to PAY any additional transport costs faced by people with a disability who are unable to use previously accessible services.
This is yet another case of the rest of Australia paying the cost so that Sydney can host the Olympics / Paralympics