House debates

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Statements by Members

International Day of People with Disability

1:57 pm

Photo of Kevin AndrewsKevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

How we treat the most vulnerable in society is truly a mark of our humanity. That we seek to uphold the dignity of each individual person marks our society—indeed, I would say, our civilisation. This requires us to consider how we include all members of our communities in society, especially the vulnerable and the disabled. I make these comments today because it is International Day of People with Disability. Designated by the United Nations, this day goes back several decades. The theme this year is apposite, 'Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world'.

I was delighted, as chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS, to be able to co-host an event with the member for Maribyrnong this morning to mark the day. It was pleasing that many of our colleagues from this chamber and some from the other place were able to attend, including Senator Hollie Hughes, representing the minister. Many of us have been impacted by COVID-19. But for the disabled, their families and their carers, that impact has been compounded. It's right for all of us to pause to reflect on this and to redouble our efforts to ensure that we all contribute to an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post-COVID-19 world, especially for the disabled.

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