Sep 15 - Government Accuses GSD Of "Unbelievable Incoherence On Disability"

The Government says the latest statement from the GSD on the issue of the Convention on the Rights of the Disabled highlights the absolute incoherence and negativity of the GSD's position on all issues.

A spokesman for the Government said: "In one breath Mr Feetham is urging the Government to cut all spending and not to deliver on its manifesto commitments because of Brexit, and on the other it is urging the Government to go ahead with legislation that has spending implications without regard to cost. The political hypocrisy of the GSD is blatant and reflects the incoherence of Mr Feetham’s leadership. The Government’s position is simply that it has to be cautious and responsible in the way that this is done because the legislation can be onerous and it does not wish for the positive effects that it will bring to the disabled community to backfire.

"The cost issues involved are not just for Government. The implications will affect business also and this is the issue that the Chief Minister highlighted to members of the society which is going to require more detailed consultation with business representative organisations.

"The GSD's position has highlighted that they do not care about the cost of doing business in Gibraltar. At the election, Mr Feetham was blithely prepared to introduce higher electricity charges for business by doing away with the Government subsidy on those utilities before the introduction of the new LNG fuel which is expected to reduce the cost of producing electricity.

"It is also noticeable that recent statements from the Opposition have merely criticized the Government’s actions without offering any positive alternative suggestions from members of the GSD. They are happy to disparage the Government’s policies whilst being devoid of ideas themselves."

Minister for Equality Samantha Sacramento said: "Ironically, the GSD seem to have found concern for people with disabilities after not having introduced any aspect of the Convention into Gibraltar law while they were in office. It must also be recalled the GSD, the now so-called champions of equality, publically stated in the run up to the 2015 general election that they would not build a new St Martin’s School, so not only do they have a track record of doing very little when in office, but they have also demonstrated the little commitment that they would have had had they taken office. While the drafting of legislation is taking longer than envisaged, we are very well advanced in respect of this work but want to get it right.

"That means ensuring that we talk to business representative organisations to make the introduction of the new law and its responsibilities, when it comes, as seamless as possible. In one breath Mr Feetham says we should not complete our manifesto and in the next he berates us for not completing parts of it. You couldn't make up the incoherence of their position and the political hypocrisy that they represent. The progress and advancements that have been made by the Government for people with physical and learning disabilities is unprecedented; there are lots of positive achievements in place already and we will not allow it to derail the excellent work we are doing for the disabled and upon which we will continue to build.”

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