Tasmanians with disabilities and the people who care for them are being left behind in the state’s response to COVID-19.
Shadow Minister for Disability Jo Siejka said a highly vulnerable section of the population is being put at risk because the government has no plan for the disability sector.
“People with disabilities are among the highest risk groups, in terms of their vulnerability to COVID, due to existing conditions,” Ms Siejka said.
“Yet disability workers have not had access to PPE on the same basis as other sectors. The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Stockpile Initiative has not responded to disability providers as a priority. Access to COVID 19 testing has not been made a priority.
“Now the government is easing border restrictions, workers in the sector want to know how they can protect themselves and the people they care for, and keep them safe.
“For Jeremy Rockliff to say a preparedness and response plan is being developed is insulting to the sector. The government has had 7 months to do the work – has it only just dawned on them that they’ve overlooked the disability sector?
“The lack of preparedness puts at risk the health and wellbeing of the thousands of Tasmanians with disabilities, and the people who care for them.”
Jo Siejka MLC
Shadow Minister for Disability
