Labor dumps elderly disabled

Prime Minister Julia Gillard wrapped herself in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten jumped to promote it.But no real money was set aside to get it up and running and its start-up date was pushed into the never-never land of hopey-wishey Labor policies.Now, it is revealed that it will not apply to those who become disabled after the age of 65.

According to Fairfax's Jessica Wright, Labor has set the NDIS as its prime policy focus for next year. Remember other prime policy targets that turned out to be as absolute failures? Think Grocery Watch, Fuel Watch, computers for every pupil, lethal pinks batts, the wasteful BER, and, of course, the still-running Not Bloody Necessary broadband network or the truly disastrous border protection policy. Cutting out people who acquire disabilities after the age of 65 will force them to rely on aged care services that disability advocates say are grossly inadequate to cope with specific care requirements for people with a disability, Wright wrote. The chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease foundation, Rod Harris, said the flawed policy would be especially debilitating for those who suffer from the neurological disease, as it can strike at any age and requires a high level of support and services. Harris said the loophole contravened the principles of the scheme as it discriminated on the basis of age, which rarely contributed to the development or acquisition of a disability. ''For those who acquire a disability post pension age, this is a huge issue,'' he said. ''While aged care services may be appropriate for many, some need more than the limited number of hours that age care can provide. ''Whatever their age, they need the same services and supports from community, health and disability services to retain and maintain their independence, continue their community participation, live as independently as possible in the accommodation of their choice for as long as they want.'' The government officially adopted the scheme at the ALP national conference this month, along with homosexual marriage, which gives some indication of Labor's priorities. Industrial Relations Minister Shorten said the poor status quo for people with a disability was a human rights issue. ''You don't put signs on buildings saying 'no blacks' but that's effectively what we do to people with disabilities,'' he said. ''Imagine if we put 2 million people inside a fence and said 'you can't have the same rights as other people'.'' Harris countered Shorten's comments saying: ''By excluding people over pension age, NDIS is effectively putting out a sign saying 'No old people'.'' But look around the workforce, ask around the country, and there are plenty of people aged 65 and over who are still working, paying taxes and providing skills and maturity, and above all, experience to younger people. Labor used to assume that it had older Australians in its pocket. Kevin Rudd frightened them into switching their votes to him with his Work Choices fear campaign. Those who remember Gough Whitlam's 'It's Time' campaign should realise it's time Labor was punished for destroying the country they have spent their lives working for.