To whom it may concern

 

As a permanent wheelchair user from , I would like to make a submission regarding Airnorth's application for an exemption under the Disability Discrimination Act from carrying passengers with a disability.

 

Since the collapse of Ansett, Airnorth Regional is the only airline I am aware of which services the and the whole of the northern part of .

 

I work part-time as a consultant anthropologist in the , mainly in the Kununurra area. I have used Airnorth Regional frequently over the last couple of years and there was absolutely no problem until my last flight in March. After transferring to the Airnorth flight for Kununurra at Broome airport, after a Qantaslink flight from , the Airnorth pilot asked me whether I could walk. When I said I couldn't, he said I might not be able fly to Kununurra. I was very surprised to say the least. He said he would have to ring to check. As it turned out there was no problem at that time. The airport staff in Broome and Kununurra have never had a problem in getting me (and others) into and out of the plane seat and they were as surprised as I was at what the pilot had said.

 

I am extremely concerned at the implications of Airnorth's application for exemption from the provisions of the DDA. While I support issues involving occupational health and safety, I consider that in this case these concerns are being resorted to unfairly. The additional cost burden, inconvenience of finding available carers and discriminatory nature of this application for people with disabilities should be realised. Many people with disabilities would be seriously affected if such an exemption were granted to Airnorth, including many Aboriginal people with disabilities.

 

The offer of discount fares for the person with a disability and a carer makes absolutely no sense to someone like myself or many other passengers paying their own fares (ie not company, government etc) and connecting to Airnorth from a southern capital.  Many passengers with disabilities do not normally have a carer. Under Airnorth's "offer", for example, I would also have to find and pay for a carer to accompany me from to Broome (as I do not know anyone in Broome who could act as a temporary carer) for the whole period of the duration of my work in the . The length of time of any of my working visits to Kununurra is usually unpredicatable.

 

If Airnorth's application is granted, I am also concerned that other regional airlines could well follow suit, with serious ramifications for all regional areas of . All airlines should be training staff properly in correct lifting techniques etc. Airnorth's application for exemption from the provisions of the DDA. represents a major step backwards in thinking about social justice and human rights in when we should be improving, not curtailing these. If granted, the exemption would increase discriminatory practices against people with disabilities of many types.

 

I urge the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to please strongly oppose Airnorth's application for an exemption under the DDA. 

 

Thanking you in anticipation,