DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION NEEDS TO STOP AND IT’S NOT ACCEPTABLE IN PARLIAMENT

09 Oct 2024

The first Minister for Disabilities to have lived experience of disability and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has said that disability discrimination needs to stop in all workplaces, including the Parliament.

Reflecting on the Prime Minister’s comments about people living with Tourette syndrome, Mr Ward said that he has been bullied as a result of his disability including by some of his parliamentary colleagues.

“As a person living with albinism and legal blindness, my disability is very obvious and I’ve felt the very horrible sting from people who feel my condition should be targeted, mocked and ridiculed. This behaviour is unacceptable,” Mr Ward said.

“Frankly, I thought I left this behaviour behind in the schoolyard. It’s not acceptable in any place in our country.

“If a non-Labor MP had of said what our Prime Minister said about a person with a disability, there would rightfully be outrage. Disability discrimination is not acceptable in any workplace including our State and Federal Parliament.

“People need to call out this behaviour when they see it. People with disabilities need to be supported by allies who will intervene and prevent this behaviour when its occurring. It’s not acceptable in workplaces and its certainly not acceptable from State and Federal leaders. 

“The Prime Minister should not have said what he did, but he did the right thing by withdrawing and apologising.

“I hope disability discrimination leaves the vernacular of those who think it’s funny and acceptable. Words matter and we should be using language to encourage every person to reach their full potential and be the best they can be and not bringing people down based on circumstances that they can’t control or are no fault of their own,” Mr Ward concluded.