Fresh rules likely for disability parking permits

THE kinds of disability parking permits available would be reduced from more than 100 to just one under a $3 million federal plan to overhaul eligibility rules and set a minimum standard.

About 800,000 people would receive the proposed national permit, which would allow eligible people to park in a disabled car spot anywhere in Australia. At present permits may not be recognised outside their jurisdiction.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, said the proposed scheme would create a clear and fair set of minimum standards and eligibility rules for parking concessions.

"We want to make sure that parking is as easy as possible for people who need it and ensure we prevent abuse." A discussion paper Mr Shorten made public recommends permanent and temporary permits.

To qualify for a permanent pass a person would be unable to walk and always need the use of a manual wheelchair or powered mobility device, or have their ability to walk severely restricted, or suffer from a significant medical condition or disability that sometimes required the help of another person. A person relying on a walking stick would not qualify.

Temporary permits, lasting between six and 12 months, would be granted for a person whose ability to walk was significantly restricted temporarily.

The Government is considering two options for the design of the permit. One would be attached to the windscreen; the other would hang from the rear view mirror, although it would have to be moved when the vehicle was being driven.

The paper says the permit would protect privacy because it would not display names, addresses or other personal information.

The Opposition spokesman on disabilities, Mitch Fifield, said the Government must ensure that the disabled who now had a permit remained eligible.