| AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR POLITICAL LEADERS |
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UNTAPPED TALENT – OVERLOOKED AND UNDERVALUED 20th March 2007 I write with concern and frustration at the lack of leadership and political will to promote employment opportunities in the public sector for people with disability. At a time of record low unemployment levels and significant skills shortages, qualified, skilled and motivated people who also have a disability are still finding it difficult to get a job. The solution is not to throw money at the disability sector. It is about taking on the role of making the employment of people with disability a political and economic priority. It is more than just making motherhood statements or issuing press releases. It is about making sure that there are identified strategies with clear outcomes and timeframes in place to ensure that there is an even playing field in the labour market. It is about taking responsibility to represent the interests and concerns of all sectors of the community. This is an economic issue which will bring both economic and social benefits to the whole community, creating more taxpayers and consumers, and less welfare recipients. While the corporate sector has taken a lead in removing barriers to employing people with disability, the public sector seems to have lost any inclination to follow, let alone lead. In the corporate sector this direction and motivation comes from the top. Where are our political leaders, the Premier, the Prime Minister and those ministers responsible for employment in their departments? When will they stand up and be counted? Can I add to the list the leaders of the Opposition and their shadow ministries? Even with both State and Federal elections looming it seems that the issue of employment for people with disability is still down the bottom of the list of priorities. Our political leaders have so far failed to show any leadership or take the initiative on this important issue. For example, although the annual Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Awards are well publicised in the media and well attended by corporate organisations, our Prime Minister has failed to attend four out of the last five awards ceremonies. While I understand that he has many demands on his time, surely he can make time to at least drop in and present an award or two. Even this simple commitment would demonstrate to corporate Australia and the community that he is serious about the issue of employment of people with disability. What is the message our political leaders want to send to corporate Australia and the community? Our Premier, Morris Iemma, is supposed to be a man of the people, concerned about family issues and workers’ rights. The Australian Employers Network on Disability wrote to Mr Iemma on 3rd November 2006 seeking a consultation about employment opportunities for people with disability in the public sector, and are still awaiting an official response. Surely four months is enough time for someone in the NSW Premier’s Department to set up a meeting, formulate a response or simply send a note saying “we are looking into it”? It is fortunate that corporate Australia does not follow the example of our elected officials. Business leaders at least clearly understand the economic benefits of including the (approximately) 20% of our population that has one or more disability, both as employees and valued consumers. When will our elected representatives, those responsible for the public sector, do the same? Deborah Barit Deborah Barit holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from UTS. She has a combined experience of 20 years in recruitment (both private and public sector), labour market analysis, operations management and disability employment.
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