Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Leader
On this International Day of People with Disability, spare a thought for disabled and clinically vulnerable Tasmanians who are more socially isolated due to Covid risk.
The Rockliff Government likes to tell Tasmanians it cares about vulnerable people but the evidence points to a callous disregard for their wellbeing and right to be socially included.
As a result of the removal of all Public Health protections, Tasmanians with disability - particularly those who depend on support from others - are highly vulnerable to infection with Covid.
The message they are hearing from a government that listens only to business, is that they should just stay at home if they want to be safe.
The abandonment of disabled Tasmanians to Covid or isolation is State-sponsored cruelty.
How far we have fallen as a State, and community when simple measures that would keep disabled people safer - like indoor mask wearing and ventilation - are shunned by a government that only listens to monied interests.
We have to do better by Tasmanians living with disability and those who are clinically vulnerable.