Australia politics live: Holly Hughes defends Morrison’s ‘blessed’ remark about disability in leaders’ debate
labor senator Katy Gallagher A daughter with autism was asked about Scott Morrison’s “blessed” comment on Seven Network this morning:
Gallagher:
Well, as the parent of an amazing daughter with autism, I was really upset by that comment. I found this really offensive and quite shocking. And it’s something that people who have disabilities, kids with autism, get this kind of backlash all the time, that people don’t have what they have, when really every child is a blessing. And you know, of course my daughter, Nat, enriches my life and my partner’s life every day. that is wonderful. And I think this again just shows the lack of connection with you, know the lives of ordinary people. I mean, millions of us live with kids with different needs. And I think a Prime Minister said that he is blessed that even one of them is deeply insulting and deeply disturbing to those of us with that wonderful addition to our family.
and you can add Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott On that list Luke just reported (former Australian of the Year, grace tam‘s Tweet is below).
Waking up this morning I feel so blessed to be disabled – I think my parents are overjoyed too.
Feeling sorry for us and our families doesn’t help. treating us equally, and giving us choice and control over our lives
— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott)
19.55 EDT . updated on
Disability advocates react to Scott Morrison’s ‘blessed’ comment
Luke Henriques-Gomes
Liberal Senator brought to you by Amy Holly HughesSafety of Scott MorrisonFirst of the “blessed” comments. As Amy noted, Hughes’ son Fred is autistic, and Hughes is a big supporter of the NDIS, even occasionally criticizing the government for its handling of the issue.
Respected Disability Advocate Craig WallaceIn the meantime, this was to say:
TBH I’m not really bothered about Scomo’s mistake – it’s reckless, not malicious. But it talks about disability, because it is a cosmic tragedy seen from the sky and it doesn’t have to be. If we are ‘cursed’ it is because society has not chosen to end barriers, discrimination and neglect
— Craig Wallace (@CraigWtweets)
But it would be fair to say that for many, for many others, the Prime Minister’s comments have been deeply saddened.
Nicole RogersonThe founder of Autism Awareness Australia, a group widely praised by Hughes, posted this pointed response to Morrison.
The organization itself was even more acrimonious:
Here are some other reactions to comments from autistic people and people with autistic children.
I can’t let it pass. I am beyond ‘blessed’ to have an autistic child. Autistic people are disabled by society and the fact that it is designed to meet the needs of (some) neurotic people. They are amazing in themselves. Contrary to this comment, PM. https://t.co/HW7NKMx7Rj
— Dr. Christy Clark (he/she) (@cristyclark)
The only blessing given to non-disabled people is the privilege they hold in the society. We autistic people and our families are not burdened by our neurodiversity, we are constrained by the systemic failures of governments and organizations that devalue us. https://t.co/yMjEbuF0Cd
— Johnny Valkyrie ️️🏳️🌈 (@JohnnyValkyrie_)
My son is autistic, and I am extremely blessed by him. He’s just approaching his teens, has been diagnosed late (let’s talk about the cost for diagnosis and wait time) and the NDIS told me last year at our first planning meeting that I should be given an OT or speech. Had to choose between regular support.
— Lori-Anne Brown (@twit2bitz)
Apparently the PM is blessed to have children who didn’t have to go through this? Seriously know what 4 is! Autism is not something you go through and please don’t make it bad. My autistic kids are as awesome as they are r. https://t.co/xmWkSWvR7X
— Kristen Desmond (@leedswoman)
And if you watch the debate, you’ll hear Anthony Albanese Talk about a woman who was told by the NDIS that she must now reuse her colostomy bag.
she was a woman elle desmarchelierA disability advocate who had this to say about Morrison’s comments.
Just got a call from my mom who was very angry and harassing that PM Feeling blessed to not have a disabled child. Every Australian is equal. every aussie counts
— elle desmarchelier (@EDesmarchelier)
19.54 EDT . updated on
This morning on Sky News, Jade CeceljaIn listing Labor’s “misrepresentation” on the Pacific situation, it did not list the August warning as one of them:
Well, penny wong Basically misrepresented the situation and, in fact, completely misrepresented the response. So, Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese And the Labor Party has made false claims about cuts that are not there. When it comes to assistance in the field, when it comes to security arrangements in the area, when it comes to our COVID response, we are spending a record amount. We have made every step. And the Labor Party hasn’t said what they would have done differently, but we do know what they did differently – they did very little in this area when they were there. They Cut Defense Spending, And What They’re Saying Now, And What Penny Wong Said Again Today And What Anthony Albanese Said has said that it is, in fact, about climate change and climate change response, which is just an absurd argument that, I think, goes for his fitness for office.
19.44 EDT. updated on
Tomorrow afternoon, Minister of the Pacific Jade Cecelja Labor denied the claim that the Morrison government had been warned that China wanted to establish a military presence in the Solomon Islands in August last year:
so he is [Penny Wong] claimed, and I think he has shown himself particularly unfit to be Minister of Foreign Affairs. It has claimed that it is a resolution to cut aid. it is not true. We’ve actually significantly increased the aid budget for this area since we came into office. So when the Labor Party was in power, they were spending very little on aid, and in fact very little on other cooperation such as defense cooperation in the region. So this is the first lie. The second lie was that we came to know about it in August. That’s not true at all.
Why: And what was the first knowledge you had?
Cecelja:
We came to know about it when we saw the leaked draft. So Penny Wong is just making it up. This is not true and our officials have confirmed it.
in March, Matthew ValeLeader of the Democratic Party’s Solomon Islands opposition told ABC he tried to warn Australia in August. He said:
I have informed the Australian High Commissioner and officials as much that this was on, even as of last year – there were all indications and the Australian Government did nothing about it – so I am extremely disappointed in the Australian Government.
Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. Photo: The Guardian
19.41 EDT. updated on
Josh Frydenberg is on the campaign trail today, campaigning with the Liberal candidate for Bennelong, west of Sydney, Simon Kennedy.
MP sitting John Alexander announced that he would retire in the election. The Liberals are expected to remain in this seat.
19.20 EDT. updated on
NSW reports 16 Covid deaths and 17,447 new cases
New South Wales has reported 16 Covid deaths and 17,447 new cases in the past.
So far this year, more people have died from Kovid in Australia than in 2020 and 2021.
COVID-19 Update – Thursday 21 April 2022
In the 24-hour reporting period till 4 pm tomorrow:
– 96.1% of people aged 16+ have received a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
– 94.7% of people aged 16+ have taken two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine— NSW Health (@NSWHealth)
19.18 EDT. updated on
11 Kovid deaths and 10,674 new cases reported in Victoria
Victoria has released its COVID numbers in the last 24 hours with 10,674 new cases and 11 deaths.
19.15 EDT . updated on
Simon Birmingham The media was doing the rounds this morning.
Last night, Pacific Minister Jed Cecelja said that Australia came to know about the agreement when it was leaked online.. Did you know?
“I haven’t seen Z’s specific comments.. but my understanding is that we are constantly engaging with the Solomon Islands”
— RN Breakfast (@RNBreakfast)
We’ll tell you more about that interview a little later.
19.05 EDT . updated on
Australia will not challenge Assange’s decision: Birmingham
Finally, asked whether Australia believes, as do at least 25 human rights organisations, that Julian Assange should not be extradited to the United States, Simon Birmingham said:
No, we trust the independence and integrity of the British judicial system. It is a process that will be able to continue working through that system. Rights of appeal remain for Mr. Assange based on decisions [been] We will continue to provide appropriate consular assistance wherever it is taken up.
19.05 EDT . updated on
asked about Scott Morrison Describing him and his wife as “blessed” for not having children with disabilities, Simon Birmingham said:
I think he was conveying the kind of sentiment that many Australians would understand, in terms of the conditions we all want to see. That’s why Australians support the NDIS, and the record investments we’re making, which have now increased its funding to more than Medicare overall.
… It is a vast and complex system that supports 500,000 different Australians in a variety of circumstances. It won’t fix every single case as to how it’s connected, but that’s why the PM took the time to sit down with that mother later and make sure she was able to get the details and go back to the agency, As I am sure he will today, to be sure they will contact him.
Why: I’m talking about language, it’s language we’re discussing, the idea that he and Jenny are blessed with not having a disabled child. People in your own party have said that it is not correct that people with disabilities are constantly portrayed as a burden on the people around them.
Birmingham:
Well, it’s definitely not the case. It is only the case that, as a country, all Australians, I think, understand the need for us to provide additional support and that we can also understand the circumstances for family members and others helping people with disabilities. Well, there are not always easy situations. , And that for many of us, we’re lucky not to face some of the challenges in those cases.
19.00 EDT . updated on
