Gibraltar Government Stands Unreservedly By Its Position
09/08/06
Office of the Chief Minister
No.6 Convent Place
Tel: 70071 Fax: 74524
Gibraltar
Government stands unreservedly by its position, as reflected in the Chief Minister’s letter of reply to the Disability Society, which roundly rejects the Society’s allegations that services for the disabled have descended into crisis.
Government finds completely shameful and the height of political hypocrisy and opportunism, however, for the Opposition to once again jump on the bandwagon of the Society, by condemning Government for allegedly “brushing aside” the views of the Society as expressed in their demonstration of the 26 May. The Honourable Mr Bruzon should cast his mind back to recent history before he sets his mind to praying that “Government will see the error of its ways” and when making emotional statements that “this Government lacks humanity or compassion”.
On the issue of respite, which is the only point that the Opposition really focuses on in their criticism, it should be recalled that they did not think that a service was necessary at all when they were in office, even though the members of the Disability Society had the same needs and problems in their daily lives as they have today. They did not think it necessary either to increase the disability allowance in 8 years. There did not seem to be any apparent need for a contingency fund to provide mobility aids to disabled people.
They implemented legislation without making the necessary regulations, thereby making the legislation totally ineffective. In fact, when the Dr Giraldi Home was built in 1993 out of dire and immediate urgency, it remained closed for a number of years because the GSLP Government claimed they could not afford to open it.
The Disability Society had to hold a demonstration because Mr Bossano refused to see them, on the pretext that he had “more pressing commitments”. He is quoted in Hansard as saying that the amount of money that the Government could afford to give this sector of our community was not unlimited, and the fact that they staged a demonstration would not make any difference whatsoever. Mr Bruzon, and the GSLP in particular, should realize that the past record of the persons crying wolf, is very relevant when assessing the political sincerity and credibility of the criticism when it is made. They should understand that their new-found concern for the disabled does not hold water in the eyes of this Government takes this opportunity to publicly repeat its pledge to the Disability Society to work closely with them to continue to deliver the systematic improvement in services that have occurred during the past ten years.
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