A fresh start for SA with d4d – Cathi Tucker in Waite
29/01/2014
Cathi Tucker, 53, of Panorama, believes human rights action begins at home; many people living with a disability are ‘doing it tough’ because their basic needs are not being met. Being born with or acquiring a disability shouldn’t relegate people to a second-class status. Families find that negotiating various agencies and departments becomes a full time job.
Involved with Dignity for Disability since 2010, Cathi has recently undertaken study at Flinders University, graduating with a BEd (Early Childhood) BA and has submitted an Honours thesis on the topic of diversity in children’s literature.
With a long background in politics, beginning in the early days of the Australian Democrats, Cathi sees that human rights action begins at home, and considers that many people living with a disability are ‘doing it tough’ because their basic needs are not being met.
“I am sure the National Disability Insurance Agency will make a huge difference, but the issues need to be dealt with in the meantime,” says Cathi Tucker.
Locally, Cathi has been a strong advocate for improved public transport and safer suburban streets as well as a supporter of the rail freight by-pass option.
“I’m disappointed that governments of both persuasions at state and federal level have ignored not only the noise issues but the lack of efficiency of the current freight route compared to road transport between Adelaide and Melbourne.
“I believe rail is the best method of transporting goods, but there is no forward planning if we stick to the track layout we have which restricts us to single stacking.
“Catching a bus in Adelaide has become a Zen like experience, it’s hard to follow the timetable changes, and impossible to understand the departmental logic that has led to route changes within the Waite electorate. We need buses that respond to our lifestyle needs, having a ‘Go Zone’ that finishes at 6pm doesn’t encourage people to leave the car at home,” said Ms Tucker.
