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Australian Greens disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has described the COAG Disability Reform Council’s (DRC) response to COVID-19 as appalling
Senator Steele-John has called on the DRC to act with more urgency, and provide more clarity about the impacts COVID-19 will have on disabled people, our families and our support networks.
“Yesterday’s meeting was an opportunity for the DRC to show that they are listening to the disability community and take urgent action. They’ve failed to do either; their response has been too slow and frankly, does not respond appropriately to the urgent needs of our community,” Steele-John said.
“What we needed from yesterday’s meeting was a comprehensive action plan to ensure that people in our community who are at risk have access to the right information and appropriate supports to get through this crisis. What we got was a list of so-called priorities that didn’t cover half all of our concerns or have a clear timeline for action.
“Critically, a dedicated hotline and a phone-based outreach program for people who are at risk must be established to provide support, carry out well-being checks and reassure the community that their needs will be met. The list of priorities identified by the DRC is also lacking in several key areas.
“Disabled people need a commitment that throughout the life of this crisis there will be equal access to healthcare for all and that all steps will be taken to ensure our hospital system is accessible and inclusive for all.
“It is not good enough to say that “appropriate consideration” will be given to disabled people as part of the health response; our community needs to know that people will get the healthcare they need, when they need it.
“There has been no mention of the need to develop a stand-by workforce to ensure that disabled people who need support can have certainity that they will be able to get it, even if their usual service provider is compromised.
“Access to increased funding for disabled people where needed to ensure that we can continue to access services and supports is critical, just as it is critical to support service providers.
“The outcomes of this meeting have failed to address the urgency of the issues disabled people face and the DRC must now act.”

Senator Steee-John said the Greens support the recommendations made by Australian peak disability organisations in response to the COAG Disability Reform Council, which can be found here.

Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has called on the government to implement a comprehensive action plan to ensure that everyone in the community has access to the right information and the appropriate supports to get through the COVID-19 crisis.
“Many people across our communities, especially disabled people and others who are at risk, are feeling worried and uncertain about the impacts the COVID-19 crisis could have on them and the people they love,” Steele-John said.
“We need a better plan. Disabled people and their families, service providers and support workers have all been raising the alarm but the response has not been quick enough nor has it been accessible or inclusive.
“Disabled people who require daily support are worried that their services could simply be cut off if the crisis worsens.
“The government needs to urgently implement a comprehensive action plan that includes the following:

• Ensure all COVID-19 test clinics are accessible and inclusive.
• Ensure all hospitals have the accessibility equipment they need.
• Create a dedicated advice hotline for disabled people and families.
• Ensure all information about the crisis is shared in ways that are easy to understand and accessible for everyone (including the use of interpreters, Easy Read, and Language specific formats).
• Give support workers priority access to personal protective equipment at no extra cost.
• Increase the capacity of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission so that the commission has the resources it needs to make sure service providers are meeting their support obligations and implementing effective safety procedures.
• Fastrack the National Disability Data Asset and utilise existing data to ensure that supports, funding, and equipment are delivered to high-risk areas.
• Provide targeted financial support to the disability sector to make sure that service providers and other support services can continue to support people through the crisis.
• Develop standby capacity that will allow rapid recruitment and expansion of the disability workforce sector by drawing on students of allied health including Occupational Therapists, physiotherapists and social workers.
• Provide financial resources to disability services so they can rapidly scale up their operations to support people during the closures of schools, day services and other programs.
• Ensure children with disability and their families have access to information and services to support them through the crisis.
• Increasing capacity to process Working with Children and Police checks so a new workforce can be mobilised quickly.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens spokesperson for Housing is demanding emergency measures to support people to keep a roof over their heads during the COVID-19 pandemic. At this difficult time when there are even more workers in precarious work and others needing to take time off we must guarantee there will be no evictions and enough resources for crisis housing.
Emergency measures in housing are required to give people protection, security and stability during this public health crisis. Close to half (43%) of low-income households are already living under rental stress in Australia. This means many families and people are one paycheck away from being unable to pay their rent, facing eviction and potentially homelessness. Crisis housing services, many of which are overcrowded, are also struggling to cope without extra resources to offer isolation to people who may be symptomatic of the virus.
These measures should be implemented in addition to workers’ protection from layoffs, guaranteed sick leave and other pay protections.

• Eviction moratorium – We must protect tenants from the threat of eviction by instituting a moratorium on all evictions. At the moment, a patchwork of State and Territory laws govern evictions with most allowing for eviction if the tenants are 14 days or more behind with their rent. This should be scrapped immediately.
• Fund crisis housing – Crisis and transitional housing providers are struggling with no extra resources available during this health crisis to accommodate people who are sick or have to be isolated due to COVID-19. The Federal Government must increase homelessness funding under the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement to $500 million per year and release these funds immediately to States and Territories.
• Freeze rents – A nationwide rent freeze with no increase in rent from the start of 2020 and for the duration of the health crisis. This should be followed by restricting rent increases for the duration of 2020, so there can be no price gouging after the crisis has passed. Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) should also be increased.

Australian Greens Housing Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, said:
“In the developing crisis, the government has a responsibility to ensure that no one ends up at risk of homelessness or further rental stress. We must take immediate steps to ensure that no one can be evicted.
“If you can’t pay rent, you should not be forced out onto the street. It’s that simple.
“Work is becoming even more precarious with millions of people unable to access sick leave. Self-isolation is putting many people out of the workforce.
“Urgent responses are required now. We must put a moratorium on all evictions, fund crisis housing, and institute a nationwide rent freeze. Now more than ever, people must be guaranteed a roof over their head and a safe and secure home. Everyone has the right to an affordable and permanent home.
“This will require governments to work together and implement these critical measures as a matter of urgency. The federal government should be leading from the front on this.
“The most vulnerable and marginalised in society stand to suffer most at this time. Emergency funding must be provided as people experiencing homelessness are at particular risk of being unable to socially distance or access the support they deserve.
“Housing in Australia is already completely messed up. We need unprecedented intervention in housing, and now it’s crucial that we act swiftly to deal with this emergency.”
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP, said:
“Millions of people will go through financial stress over the coming months, and we fear that without increased rental assistance and a social safety net that looks after everyone, many people will be pushed to the brink.
“Landlords need to stop and consider their actions during this time of crisis. Eviction is traumatic and stressful at the best of times – but being forced onto the streets during a financial crisis would be a disaster.
“People who are struggling need to know they’ll be able to find new work with a roof over their head. During the coronavirus people may also need a place to self-isolate in, and a pantry to keep food in.
“The Government must step in and make it clear that anyone who is struggling financially won’t be kicked out of their home when they need it most. Only through an eviction moratorium can we give people stable and secure housing through this crisis, and the Federal Government must commit to this as soon as possible.
“An eviction moratorium will also reduce the burden on crisis housing services, who will no doubt see increased demand over the coming months.”

The Australian Greens have written to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, calling for a $2 billion investment in the not-for-profit and community sector as Australia faces the continuing health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens spokesperson for Family, Ageing and Community Services said:
“If not-for-profits and community organisations are forced to close, disabled and vulnerable people will have nowhere to turn. It is critical that they are supported.
“These organisations are the backbone of our community. Childcare, disability, community and aged care services are at the front-line of Australia’s response to this crisis. They need funding certainty to continue to play their vital role.
“As Australia weathers the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, these organisations are more important than ever. The Treasurer needs to commit additional funding to keep them operating.”
Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“If the government wants to stimulate the economy and protect the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable in our community, they should be investing in the not-for-profit and community sectors.
“Over 10% of the Australian workforce is employed by the not-for-profit and community sector. The government needs to protect this sector by investing at least $2 billion now.
“The Treasurer has made a commitment to stimulating the economy and keeping Australians in work. If he is serious about making this a reality he needs to use the next stimulus package to support the not-for-profit and community sector.”

The Greens are calling on the Government to make sure that the security of the workforce of the major airlines is prioritised in the bailout, and to give taxpayers an equity stake in the airlines.

Greens transport spokesperson Senator Janet Rice said:

“These two major airlines have spent a fortune on share buy-backs to prop up shareholder value. They have paid out exorbitant CEO salaries and both companies have successfully minimised their tax over many years.”

“The first priority of the government should be the airlines keeping their workforce in place as we go through this crisis. Workers should not be the victims of cost-cutting in the bad times while shareholders and executives lived it up during the good times.

“If the Federal Government is going to bail out these airlines, it should be done by taking an equity stake, so that the community gets some return on their investment.”

“Keeping airlines afloat is obviously important for transport across our wide country. But this needs to be done in a way that ensures a fair outcome for workers and taxpayers, rather than another handout for corporate investors.”

“All public support should be conditional on the airlines guaranteeing current jobs with the same wages and conditions. We must do everything we can to protect the tens of thousands of employees of these two companies.”

Our Government is committed to ensuring that through this coronavirus crisis we protect not only Australians’ health, but secure their jobs and livelihoods.
We want to ensure Australia can bounce back strongly when this crisis has passed. That is why it is important that the Government’s economic stimulus measures pass the Parliament next week.
Following discussions with the Leader of the Opposition, we have agreed that it is critical that Parliament meet in order to provide this support to Australians as well as to consider other urgent legislation.
Given the current circumstances, this sitting week will be different. We need to be conscious of protecting parliamentarians and their communities.
The Parliament will meet only to consider the legislation that will enact the stimulus package and any other immediate business.
Further, the Government will arrange with the Opposition for both the House of Representatives and the Senate to minimise the requirement for members and senators to attend.
For the full days that the Parliament sits, there will be a Question Time on the basis that only the required Ministers, members and senators attend the chambers to reduce the number of members and senators in each chamber.
The arrangement that has been agreed to includes:

• In the House of Representatives and the Senate, there will be pair arrangements between the Government and Opposition Whips. All crossbench and independent Members and Senators will be able to attend, should they want to. In the House there will be 30 pairs. In the Senate, arrangements will be finalised in consultation with the Opposition and the Senate crossbench in coming days.
• Pairs will be determined in the normal ways, in particular considering parliamentarians’ welfare. If a parliamentarian is sick or self-isolating or consideration needs to be given to the welfare conditions of their communities, pairs will be made. Government and Opposition whips will also work to minimise the number of members and senators from remote areas or who have the longest travel requirements.
• Members and senators should bring only essential staff with them for the sitting period following the advice of the Speaker and President issued yesterday.

These arrangements allow for Parliament to sit, giving the chambers quorums and to consider the urgent stimulus package and other immediate business.
Ahead of next week, the Government has been working to finalise drafts of relevant legislation. This will be finalised to allow sufficient time for the Opposition to be briefed on the measures, and to consider them prior to debate.
If the legislation is passed by the Senate unamended and does not require further consideration by the House, then the House and Senate will be adjourned after all necessary business is finalised.
The Government will provide updates on the arrangements for the Budget sitting period closer to the time, which will be informed by relevant advice.
It is important that our Parliament meet next week to consider these important matters. We are committed to providing the support to Australians that they need during this crisis.