Vision Australia urges the Qld Government to amend the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (GHADA) to end discrimination against people using dog guides.
In January 2010, Vision Australia client Geoff Skinner, from Atherton in Far North Queensland, was refused accommodation in a privately owned Gold Coast unit, not because he’s a bad tenant, but because he uses a dog guide.
Mr Skinner lodged a complaint under GHADA and was advised that due to a loophole in the Act, rental accommodation (whether under residential lease or holiday) is not covered, and dog guide users can be can refused accommodation.
He then pursued a complaint through the Anti-Discrimination Commission in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and, in January 2013 was awarded $13,000 damages.
“Amendments are needed to the current Act. We need to ensure people aren’t denied accommodation in the first place. They shouldn’t be turned away and forced to seek redress later on.”
To ensure this didn’t happen to others holidaying in Queensland, Mr Skinner, with Vision Australia’s assistance, lobbied the former Queensland Government to correct the loophole and restore rights that had been in the 1972 Act. Unfortunately, the election intervened before the amendments were progressed through Parliament.
“I have made several requests to the current Queensland Government Disability Minister, Tracey Davis who refuses to pass the amendments and will say only the issue will be considered at some unspecified date.”
Advocacy Advisor, Vision Australia Queensland, Liz Jeffrey is disappointed with the current situation.
“Vision Australia urges the Queensland Government to progress these amendments without delay. Prior to 2009, these rights were law,” said Ms Jeffrey. “Surely it is not their intention to strip away rights for users of seeing eye dogs.”
For more information on the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009, contact the Disability Information Service – Phone 1800 177 120 (toll free), TTY 1800 010 222 (toll free) or go to www.communities.qld.gov.au
Download the Geoff Skinner media release