Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s tough exterior cracked on Wednesday as she choked back tears while introducing a bill into parliament on disability reforms. The country’s first female leader, seen as a hard-talking survivor in male-dominated politics, spoke in a quivering voice of people with disabilities she had recently met.
She said a proposed national disability insurance scheme would let people like 17-year-old Sandy from Brisbane realise their dreams for life. ‘When I met this young man he handed me a card signed by him and his mates to say thanks for what we are doing for people with disability,’ an emotional Gillard said.
‘Over the past six years, the idea of a national disability insurance scheme has found a place in our nation’s heart. In March, we gave it a place in our nation’s laws.
‘On Wednesday we inscribe it in our nation’s finances,’ she added before being comforted by Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin.
When fully operational, the scheme is expected to cover 410,000 Australians with disabilities and cost upwards of Aus 15 billion (US 15 billion) a year to run, providing extra personal care and physical therapy. Gillard, who is facing defeat in national elections due in September, has often weathered criticism for her Australian drawl.
She said a proposed national disability insurance scheme would let people like 17-year-old Sandy from Brisbane realise their dreams for life. ‘When I met this young man he handed me a card signed by him and his mates to say thanks for what we are doing for people with disability,’ an emotional Gillard said.
‘Over the past six years, the idea of a national disability insurance scheme has found a place in our nation’s heart. In March, we gave it a place in our nation’s laws.
‘On Wednesday we inscribe it in our nation’s finances,’ she added before being comforted by Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin.
When fully operational, the scheme is expected to cover 410,000 Australians with disabilities and cost upwards of Aus 15 billion (US 15 billion) a year to run, providing extra personal care and physical therapy. Gillard, who is facing defeat in national elections due in September, has often weathered criticism for her Australian drawl.