PM Transcripts

64/ 073
FOR PRESS P. iNi 8zj 264
PRAISE FOR DRIVE TO HELP HANDICAPPED
Statement by the Prime Minister he R. H n. obert Menzies
The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, has sent a
special message commending the ona-week " Employ the Handicapped"
campaign which starts today.
The Prime Minister said
" in a rapidly developing country like , ustralia
with a need to use all its manpower, it is particularly
shortsighted to pass over tens of thousands of pLysically
handicapped men and ioraen who could, if given an opportunity,
make a definite contribution to the welfare of the
community. Charity does not enter tiie picture when I speak
of employing the handicapped. Thousands of handicapped
Australians prove daily that without special privileges
they can hold full-time jobs.
Last year the Commonwealth Employment Service
found jobs for 10,300 physically handicapped people, while
from 19+ 8 to 1964 the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service
prepared for full-time employment more than 17,000 allegedly
' hopeless invalids'
The comm unity gained many millions of pounds
eamnnpuloaylmlyen tt', h rorautghhe rp lathcainn g ketehpesineg Autisetmra loina npse nisnio ngsa infrfouml the
public purse. Yet there remain at least 300 000 Australians
who still receive repatriation or social service benefits
for disabilities. Of these some 125,000 suffer permanent
disabilities and are regarded as unemployable for life.
I reject this view. I am convinced that we cannot
afford to waste the abilities of our citizens simply because
they are not physically perfect.
This week the Junior Chambers of Comnierce will
promote the employment of physically handicapped Australians
through their ' Employ the -Handicapped' campaign. I commend
this contribution to economic welfare and social progress."
CANB13RRA, July, 1964.