Mond

Monday, 6 November 2006

COUNTRY WHEELCHAIR BOUND PEOPLE FORGOTTEN

The mobility of wheelchair bound people in the Ovens Valley, Euroa and Nagambie continues to be ignored by the Bracks Government who have failed to implement funding assistance for wheelchair accessible taxis as announced five months ago by the Minister for Transport.

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “The taxi industry and I have lobbied long and hard for a fairer deal for wheelchair bound country people”.

“However, in spite of a Government announcement several months ago of a $3 million fund to subsidise the cost of wheelchair accessible cabs in country Victoria, not one cent has been allocated.

“Margaret and Jerry Wilson of Bright Taxis and Alan and Darren Murphy of Euroa/Nagambie Taxis applied for funding months ago to buy wheelchair accessible cabs but the Bracks Government’s dithering has meant that no money has been forthcoming.

Dr Sykes continued, “This is particularly frustrating when the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Taxis agrees that both Bright and Euroa/Nagambie Taxis qualify for funding but still nothing happens.

“It is also totally unjust as taxi companies in Melbourne are paid thousands of dollars per year per cab to provide services to people in wheelchairs while country operators get zilch”.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I again call on the Bracks Government to give wheelchair bound country Victorians a fair go and ensure taxi services are equivalent to their Melbourne counterparts. It’s time country Victoria got its fair share of the $100 million per day tax income of the Bracks Government.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989