Features -

New guide, hearing and assistance dogs act 2009 starts

All guide, hearing and assistance dogs will have access to public places and public passenger vehicles, including planes

All guide, hearing and assistance dogs will have access to public places and public passenger vehicles, including planes, under new Queensland legislation.

Minister for Disability Services Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 will take effect from today with the tougher fines commencing from 1 September.

"The aim of the new Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Acts 2009 is to assist people with a disability to have independent access to public places with their assistance and guide dogs, including planes, taxis, cafes, restaurants and shopping centres," she said.

"Under Part 2 of the existing Guide Dogs Act 1972, people accompanied by a Guide Dog in public places cannot be discriminated against because of their Guide Dog.

"To enforce this, penalties for refusing access to a person accompanied by a Guide, hearing or assistance dog will significantly increase from $100 for an individual up to $10,000 and from $500 for a business up to $50,000 for a breach of the Act.

"The Bligh Government is committed to improving the lives of people with a disability and increasing their participation in all aspects of community life," Minister Palaszczuk said.

Minister Palaszczuk said the new Act had been introduced to broaden the law to include any discrimination against people with an assistance dog as well as a Guide or hearing dog.

"As from 1 July, all Guide, hearing or assistance dogs certified under the Act will be required to wear some identifying badge which may include a highly-visible coat or harness, as well as the handler carrying a form of identification.

"The new Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 will also mean that there will benew training and certification standards implemented to ensure that assistance dogs are highly trained and certified to assist their handler.

Minister Palaszczuk said the introduction of the new laws would be complemented by a state-wide awareness campaign so that people working in the service industries understand the importance of Guide and assistance dogs in helping people with a disabilityparticipate in the community.