End the Travel Restrictions Placed on Disabled Australians!

  • by: Rachael Thomas
  • recipient: Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Treasurer Joe Hockey

Disabled Australians who receive Disability Benefits from the Government are only permitted 28 days to travel internationally per year. I am a recipient of Disability Support Pension (DSP), and I am unable to see my boyfriend in Europe because of this rule. I believe this infringes on my human rights and the equal rights of every Australian who receives the DSP.

Please sign my petition to ask Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey to end the arbitrary travel restrictions placed on DSP recipients!

Australians have the right to 6 months visa-free travel to most European nations, but I was informed that traveling to see my boyfriend in Europe for a few months would result in my DSP being cancelled.

The able-bodied who are not on disability or old age pension can stay in Europe for 6 months and the UK for 12 months. This is inequality at its finest.

The DSP is a nightmare to get in the first place; it is really a bit of a soul-destroying process. It does major damage due to the stress it causes, and as I have MS, the process and restrictions in place impact my condition badly and markedly.

Those who have disabilities generally need longer to see a location than the 'able-bodied.' The travel restriction and threat of financial punishment for staying outside of Australia for more than 28 days per year causes stress and uncertainty in the disabled community. How does one with close family overseas:

a) afford to get to them

b) relax with them once there

and c) be carefree on their holiday?

The government justifies this rule by painting ALL DSP recipients as welfare cheaters who are living overseas while receiving payments from Australia. In reality, we are simply human beings who do not deserve to have our mobility further limited by arbitrary standards set by the government.

Please sign my petition to ask Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey to end the arbitrary travel restrictions placed on DSP recipients!

Disabled Australians who receive Disability Support Pension (DSP) from the Government are only permitted 28 days to travel internationally per year, or else their DSP benefits are cut.

Please end the arbitrary travel restrictions placed on DSP recipients!

Those who already have disabilities in their lives need longer to see a location than the 'able-bodied,' longer to overcome jet lag and really relax within their chosen environment. The threat of reduced welfare support upon their return home to Australia is discrimination which causes terrible stress and adds further insult to an already stressful situation.

The able-bodied who are not on disability or old age pension can stay in Europe for 6 months and the UK for 12 months. This is inequality at its finest.

For the majority of those receiving DSP, the program is their only financial income. The DSP is means tested and, as it is a support pension, is not anywhere near as much as a wage would bring into their homes were they able to have a job.

Please remember that these are the members of our communities who cannot find employment or cannot undertake employment because of their varying disabilities. Disability leaves individuals scrimping and saving on an already VERY reduced income in order to have the money to travel to see friends, family and their many loved ones around the world. These are not 'jet-setters' or people asking for special courtesies. These are people who want the same freedoms which every other citizen of Australia has - the right to travel without restriction or financial punishment from the government.

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