Victorian Government appoints Chief Accessibility Advocate

In a move aimed at improving accessibility across the Victorian transport network, the state government has today announced the creation of a new Chief Accessibility Advocate role.

Tricia Malowney OAM has been appointed in the new role, which will support the state government’s transport approach to accessibility.

Ms Malowney is a disability and human rights advocate with extensive experience across disability rights and inclusion working in health, justice and family violence sectors. She is a member on a number of boards including the Disability Leadership Institute, NDIS Independent Advisory Council, Fire Rescue Victoria Strategic Advisory Committee, Melba Services and the Urgent Action Fund for Women Asia Pacific.

Ms Malowney is an inductee of the Victorian Honour Roll of Woman and was awarded the Medal in the order of Australia in 2017 for her advocacy work for women with disabilities.

The announcement coincides with the International Day of People with Disability, a United Nations observed day held on 3 December each year aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.

In addition, Liz Ellis has been appointed to the role of chair of the Accessible Transport Advisory Committee, with two new committee members, Melissa Hale and Martin Stewart, as well as the reappointment of Mark Tomkins.

The Committee provides strategic advice to the Government and supports the delivery of the Accessible Public Transport in Victoria Action Plan 2020-2024.

Victoria’s Minister for Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said the Labor Government had already built or upgraded 36 train stations over the past seven years, improving accessibility for the thousands of Victorians that use these stations every day.

“We know there is more work that needs to be done, which is why we continue to work with operators, community groups and locals to help drive solutions and identify how we can make our transport network better for everyone,” the Minister said.

Ms Malowney commend the Minister, the Secretary and the Department of Transport for appointing a member of the disability community to advocate for transport accessibility solutions.

“Accessible transport is essential to the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities whether we live in the city or in the outer suburbs or in rural communities,” she said.

“Knowing that work is being undertaken to make our end-to-end journey seamless will relieve the concerns of many.”