Hurdle for LNP car rego freeze
A BUNDABERG disability advocate has slammed the LNP's hesitation to sign up to the Federal Government's National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The State Government is baulking at signing up to the scheme because it would mean an introduction of no-fault insurance - which provides lifetime care if people are left disabled after an accident - because it would drive up registration costs.
The LNP had vehemently campaigned during the election on freezing registration costs.
Disabilities advocate Mary Walsh, from Kepnock, said she was "disgusted" the LNP was considering not being a part of the scheme.
"I just think equating the life of a person with a disability to car registration (costs) is an insult to the people of Australia," she said.
The campaigner said she believed people valued the ability to provide services to the disabled more than they did the cost of registration.
Mrs Walsh, whose disabled son died seven years ago, said Australia was in desperate need of better services for people with disabilities.
"(My son) never had a service throughout his life that we didn't have to fight for," she said.
Member for Bundaberg Jack Dempsey said the Federal Government was forcing the state governments to pay for federal policy, which would add between $80 and $100 to car registration.
"An increase is something the LNP doesn't want," he said.
"We are still committed to freezing registration."
Mr Dempsey said the State Government was supportive of a National Disability Insurance Scheme, but the Federal Government was yet to produce any details on it.
Queensland and Western Australia are the only two states that do not have no-fault insurance built into car registration.
