Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Northern Metropolitan Region

Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (12:58): (1498) My question today is for the Minister for Agriculture. My constituent Charles has faced 43 incidents of refusal of public and rideshare transport in the past two years for having an assistance dog. Not only are these refusals frustrating, they are discriminatory and unlawful. Many drivers are unaware of their legal obligations, forcing Charles to repeatedly justify his rights. Despite multiple complaints to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, the issue persists. Other jurisdictions, like Queensland, have stronger protections in place to ensure people with assistance animals are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. Although this question is more appropriate for the disability portfolio, assistance dogs fall under the responsibility of agriculture. Minister, what is the government doing particularly in response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability’s recommendations to ensure people with assistance dogs are not continually denied their right to equal transport access?