Transport Legislation (Disability Parking and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2019

Supported expanding eligibility to include vision-impaired persons and increasing the penalty for illegal parking in disability bays from $266 to $533.

“This is good and fair legislation. Currently the disability parking permit scheme has an eligibility criteria for a permit exclusively based on the applicant's functional ability to walk.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

As Minister for Transport and Main Roads, moved the second reading and commended the bill which expands disability parking permits to include legally blind Queenslanders and doubles fines for illegal parking in disability bays.

“This bill will improve the lives of legally blind Queenslanders and will assist in ensuring that members of the public recognise the importance of leaving disability parking bays vacant for those members of the community who hold a disability parking permit and need them.”— 2020-03-17View Hansard

As Shadow Minister for Disability Services, supported the bill, noting the LNP's role in advocating for these changes through the member for Bundaberg's petition launched in July 2018.

“The Liberal National Party will always stand up for stronger communities and will support individuals and representative organisations to ensure better opportunities are available for all Queenslanders. That is why we support this bill before the parliament today.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

As Opposition spokesperson, confirmed the LNP supports the bill, stating it makes 'eminent sense' and is 'long overdue'. Acknowledged LNP member for Bundaberg's role in advocating for the change through a petition.

“The LNP's attitude is that you do not disagree for the sake of it. This legislation before the House makes eminent sense. Recognising vision-impaired members of the community face specific mobility challenges, the LNP will support this bill.”— 2020-03-17View Hansard

Supported expanding eligibility to blind people, acknowledging the member for Bundaberg's petition work, but criticised the lengthy process requiring two committee hearings.

“We often see blind people hop out of their cars with their white cane or their seeing eye dog. These people have a disability and I could never understand why they were not accepted into those car parks in the first place.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Supported expanding eligibility to vision-impaired persons, noting that Guide Dogs Queensland advised a person's ability to walk includes the ability to walk safely for orientation and obstacle avoidance.

“This is a bill that will increase inclusion in our communities and that is why I support this bill.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, having introduced his own private member's bill on the same issue after learning about two young girls with albinism who were legally blind but whose mother could not obtain a disability parking permit.

“If this bill passes the House, we will align with other states and give over 5,000 people in Queensland living with permanent or semi-permanent blindness an ability to feel safer and more dignified when they pull up to a shopping centre.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting it will mean independence and community participation for her legally blind constituent Anthony.

“For my constituent Anthony, the Transport Legislation (Disability Parking and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2019 will mean independence and an opportunity to participate in the life of the community in a way that he never could before.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Gave wholehearted support, having championed this change for two years after his constituent Cheryl Callaghan, who is legally blind, was unable to obtain a disability parking permit. His petition garnered 3,200 signatures.

“I am incredibly proud of our fight for this change that will bring Queensland's laws into line with other states across the country and what this will mean in the day-to-day lives of 18,000 Queenslanders with vision impairment.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Supported expanding the scheme to include vision-impaired people, speaking personally as his younger brother Robert is legally blind and would benefit from reduced walking distances and wide parking bays.

“Expanding the Disability Parking Permit Scheme to include vision-impaired people who are legally blind supports the vulnerable in our community. It improves safety, security and peace of mind.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

As Minister for Disability Services, supported the bill noting that people with disability have told her what a difference access to disability parking bays would make, and expressing delight at increased fines for illegal parking.

“I am pleased that we are proposing to change the eligibility criteria for a permit to include people who have a vision impairment.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Supported the bill extending eligibility to vision-impaired persons, strongly criticising those who illegally use disability parking and suggesting they should be publicly shamed. Commended the member for Bundaberg for initiating the petition in 2018.

“People should be penalised and, in my opinion, they should also be publicly shamed and put on a website of some sort to show they had been fined for occupying a space that was set aside for someone who was disabled.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing the story of Dean and Donna Cameron from Moreton Bay Cycling Club, where Dean is vision impaired and currently must navigate car parks with his guide dog.

“This legislation is very welcome.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Supported the change as good and long overdue, congratulating the member for Bundaberg for his advocacy.

“This is a good change and long overdue.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Strongly supported expanding disability parking eligibility to include vision-impaired persons and doubling the fine for illegal parking in disability bays, noting his personal experience confronting someone illegally using a disability space.

“Those people who take up disability parking bays when they are not entitled to them are arrogant and it is nasty behaviour.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard