Improving accessibility and increasing the voice of people with disability in parliaments across the Commonwealth were among topics presented by Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch at the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Accra, Ghana this month.
Tesch, who attended as the Australian Regional Champion for Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities, said it was an honour to represent people with disability.
“It was a genuine privilege to be able to represent NSW Parliament,” she said.
“My mandate is to help make parliaments and parliamentary processes more inclusive, creating opportunities for people with disability to be represented … above all else, making sure that the voices of people with disability are heard by parliamentarians and included in policy making.
“When I became a parliamentarian six years ago, physical access to parliament was a significant challenge.
“Positive progress has been made in this area in the years since, although there is still more work to do.
“I’m working to ensure that parliaments across Australia are accessible, so new members of parliament with disability do not have to face the same barriers I had to face – and they can get on with the job immediately after they are elected.
“Ensuring parliaments are accessible to elected representatives ensures that our parliaments are more accessible to the general population – about 20 per cent of whom live with disability.
“Having met with my Commonwealth peers, it’s empowering to know we Australian parliamentarians with disability are far from alone in our fight for change – and that the voice of people with disability will continue to be heard as part of future legislation.
“I’m thrilled to be working in close partnership with other parliamentarians in Commonwealth countries to help them up their game to ensure people with disabilities have a better quality of life.
“During my time in Ghana it was an incredible honour to spend time among a united group of parliamentarians with disability … tour the Accra Rehabilitation Centre and network with Commonwealth peers as well as attend workshops on topics such as Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians.
“I look forward to continuing to pursue the importance of including people with disabilities at all levels of society, including parliaments across the Commonwealth.”
Tesch said throughout the Commonwealth work was being undertaken towards improving the physical accessibility of parliaments, procuring assistive technology and supporting persons with disabilities to seek higher office.
More than 500 parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth attended the conference, which focused on addressing global issues and examining parliamentary democracy.
The conference explored a wide range of workshop topics, from the threat of terrorism and gender quotas in parliaments to tackling energy poverty and achieving sustainable trade and economic development and youth engagement and e-parliaments.
The annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference offers Members the opportunity to benefit from professional development, supportive learning and the sharing of best practice with colleagues from Commonwealth Parliaments together with the participation of leading international organisations.
Tesch said she was honoured that the NSW Parliament would host the annual event in November 2024 and she would be working with parliamentary staff to ensure all delegates have an excellent experience in Australia.
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Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch