MINORITY REPORT

AUSTRALIAN GREENS

The Greens have concerns about the ramifications of changes to portability arrangements of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) for recipients particularly those with a severe disability who are dependent on a carer, and their carer is required to work overseas for long periods. We believe that the bill should be amended to address this issue. While we support many of the comments in the Coalition Minority report we are concerned that some carers do not have guardianship arrangements.

We believe the Secretary should be granted discretion to adjudicate on portability for recipients with a life long disability whose carer has to travel overseas for extended periods. This should be based on a set of criteria developed by the Department which should include guardianship orders and other criteria where such orders are not in place.

This inquiry has highlighted deficiencies in the definition of 'severe disability' and how it relates to the working age pension. The definition does not adequately address those with a life long severe disability and subjects those with a life long severe disability to the same tests that apply for a working age pension where there is a prospect of a recovery or partial recovery that would enable someone to work. We believe that the definition needs to be reviewed.

Senator Rachel Siewert

Australian Greens

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