Paul Murphy: Demands 400 Classes to End Exclusion of Disabled Children
Paul Murphy warned that children with disabilities are being denied their right to inclusive, quality and free primary and secondary education, invoking the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He criticised multiple systemic failures — including over 100 children left without a school place last September and 20,000 transported daily outside their communities — and pressed for the government’s promised 400 classes to be delivered in September.
Paul Murphy cited the UN Convention requirement that state parties ensure persons with disabilities can access inclusive, quality and free primary and secondary education on an equal basis with others in their communities.
He detailed multiple ways those rights are denied: over 100 children left without a school place last September; very many, uncounted, pressurised to take inappropriate school places; children pressured to do extra years in preschool; 20,000 children transported every day outside of their own community; and some forced into home tuition.
Paul Murphy said the government is under pressure over these issues because of the action of parents — including those in the gallery — and the many thousands like them across the country. He attributed recent commitments to that public pressure.
He highlighted promises of 400 classes in September and insisted those commitments must be met on time, not delayed, stressing that parents are not going to give up.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Paul Murphy cited the UN Convention requirement that state parties ensure persons with disabilities can access inclusive, quality and free primary and secondary education on an equal basis with others in their communities.
Documented failures in access and provision
He detailed multiple ways those rights are denied: over 100 children left without a school place last September; very many, uncounted, pressurised to take inappropriate school places; children pressured to do extra years in preschool; 20,000 children transported every day outside of their own community; and some forced into home tuition.
Pressure from parents and public scrutiny
Paul Murphy said the government is under pressure over these issues because of the action of parents — including those in the gallery — and the many thousands like them across the country. He attributed recent commitments to that public pressure.
Demand for timely delivery of promised classes
He highlighted promises of 400 classes in September and insisted those commitments must be met on time, not delayed, stressing that parents are not going to give up.
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Transcript
State parties shall ensure that persons with disabilities can access an inclusive, quality and free primary education and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Think of the multiple, multiple ways in which those rights are denied to children in this state. The over 100 who were left without a school place last September, the very, very many, uncounted, who were pressurised to take inappropriate school places, those who were pressured to do extra years in preschool, the 20,000 children who were transported every day outside of their own community and those forced into home tuition. Absolutely scandalous failure of children in this state. The government's under pressure on this issue, there's no question, that's good to see. It's because of the action of the parents in the gallery and the many thousands like them across the country. That's why we have the promises of the 400 classes in September. But it has to be met, we have to see it, it has to be in September, it can't be later, the parents are not going to give up. Thank you very much for watching. B