Queenslanders with a disability to get lions’ share of discounts
Published Thursday, 12 March, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Disability Services Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today kicked a winning goal for Queenslanders with a disability as the new, two-for-one Companion Card rolls out statewide.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Companion Card has been backed by many businesses and organisations around the state – including the AFL and Brisbane Lions – giving eligible Queenslanders a two-for-one deal.
“This is an important initiative which gives eligible people with a disability who require attendant care access to their favourite activities and events on a two-for-one deal,” she said.
“The program has been specially designed to enable Queenslanders with a disability who need the aid of a carer the opportunity to enjoy activities most others take for granted.
“Cardholders who need lifelong attendant care can use their card to access affiliated community venues and activities for the price of a single ticket, and the list of suppliers continues to grow.
“By offering a ticket at no charge to an accompanying attendant, it just makes it much more affordable for people who have high mobility, communication and self-care support needs to take part in community life.
“Put simply, a person with a disability can now attend an event for the same as it costs you or me. Organisations like the AFL and Brisbane Lions are also giving back to their supporters who have special care needs, and I applaud that.”
Ms Nelson-Carr was joined by Brisbane Lions CEO Michael Bowers and players Scott Harding and Bradd Dalziell at the start of the roll-out today.
Young Lions fans Jordan, Matt, Chris, Josh, Sally and Tom, who all have disabilities that require them to have an attendant carer, also attended today’s event where they were able to meet some of their sporting heroes.
Ms Nelson-Carr congratulated the growing list of businesses and organisations signing up to the program.
“As well as the AFL and Brisbane Lions, suppliers include the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, The Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Australia Zoo, Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, Birch Carroll and Coyle, the Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich, and the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville,” she said.
“Companion Cards will also be honoured on urban public transport services contracted to Queensland Transport across the State, including the TransLink Transit Authority.
“With reciprocal rights also in place, Queenslanders with a Companion Card can also use their card in most other states, with the program aiming to become national in time. I encourage community-minded business operators who charge an entry fee to join the program.”
Call 13 13 04 or go online www.disability.qld.gov.au to join the program. The Companion Card follows the introduction last year of Australia's first Carer Business Discount Card in Queensland. For more information, visit: www.disability.qld.gov.au or www.companioncard.asn.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr's Office 3235 4280
Companion Card accepted at:
Alma Park Zoo, Brisbane
Aqualogan — Beenleigh, Bethania and Eagleby
Australian Outback Spectacular, Gold Coast
Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame
Australian Whale Watching, Gold Coast
Australia Zoo
Baker's Military Memorabilia Museum, Bundaberg
Balunjali Interpretative Cultural Kayak Tours, Gold Coast
Bay Bus & Coach
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
Birch Carroll and Coyle (statewide)
Birdworld Kuranda
Bowen Transit
Brisbane Cruises
Brisbane International Film Festival
Brisbane Lions - The Gabba
Broncos - Suncorp Stadium
Bundaberg Ferry Company
Bundaberg Race Club
Bundy Bowl and Leisure Complex
Cairns Auto Spectacular
Cairns Civic Theatre
Cairns Habitat Cruises
Cairns Regional Gallery
Cairns Show
Cairns Tropical Zoo
Cairns Wine Awards
Capricorn Sunbus
Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park – ranger guided tours
Christensen Bus and Coach
Cobb & Co Museum, Toowoomba
David Fleay Wildlife Park
Duffy's Buses, Bundaberg
Firebirds —Brisbane Convention Centre home games
Fort Lytton National Park, Brisbane
Gallery of Modern Art
Garden City Sunbus, Toowoomba
Gladstone Buslink
Glasshouse Country Coaches
Go Bush Activities - Brisbane Forest Park, Daisy Hill
Gold Coast Arts Centre
Gold Coast Super GP
Haidleys Panoramic Coaches, Warwick
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Hasties Bus Service,Innisfail
Hermit Park Bus Service, Townsville
Imax Dome Theatre Townsville
Ipswich Art Gallery, Art Performances and Workshops
Ipswich Turf Club
Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
Kookaburra River Queens
Kuranda Koala Gardens
Kynoch Coaches,Toowoomba
La Boite Theatre, Brisbane
Logan Entertainment Centre
Logan Thunder Metro Park Sports Centre
Mackay Choral Society
Mackay Transit Coaches
Magnetic Island Bus Service
Mamu Rainforest Canopy, North Queensland
Maritime Museum of Townsville
Marlin Coast Sunbus, Cairns
Mon Repos Conservation Park - ranger-guided tours
Mt Etna Caves National Park – ranger-guided tours
Mt Isa Underground Hospital and Beth Anderson Museum
Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville
Mystery Craters, Bundaberg
Normanton Sports Complex
North Stradbroke Island Bus Service
Northern Australian Regional Performing Arts Centre Association, Rockhampton
Opera Queensland (statewide)
Polleys Coaches, Gympie
Putt Putt Golf , Gold Coast
Queensland Art Gallery
Queensland Ballet (statewide)
Queensland Museum Southbank
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Queensland Theatre Company Billie Brown Studio, Cremorne Theatre and Playhouse
Reef HQ Aquarium
Sciencentre
Sea World
Sit Down Comedy Club, Brisbane
Sportsworld Fitness, Cairns
St Helena Island National Park – ranger-guided tours
Stewart & Sons Coaches, Bundaberg
Swimming Queensland swim meets
Tarzali Lakes Aquaculture Centre, Atherton Tablelands
The Bundaberg & District Historical Museum
The Leap & District Community Hall, Mackay
Tobruk Pool, Townsville
Townsville Sunbus
Trans North Bus & Coach
TransLink
Underwater World
Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre (Brisbane Forest Park)
Warner Bros Movie World
Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World
Whitsunday Transit
Wide Bay Transit
Young’s Bus Service, Capricorn Coast