Murrays Australia Ltd owns and operates a fleet of express coaches that carry hundreds of people each day around Australia.

But some people are not welcome on board the Murrays Australia Ltd fleet, and Sydney resident Julia Haraksin is one of them.

Ms Haraksin has brittle bone disease. She claims that when she tried to book a seat with Murrays last year to attend a work conference in Canberra, the bus company told her none of its coaches could take her because she uses a wheelchair.

Ms Haraksin believes Murrays Australia Ltd’s response is discriminatory.  The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) agrees.

Acting on behalf of Ms Haraksin, PIAC Solicitor Gemma Namey has filed a disability discrimination complaint against Murrays Australia Ltd in the Federal Court.

Ms Namey said Ms Haraksin is not seeking financial compensation from Murrays.

‘Instead, Ms Haraksin is asking the Court to order the bus company to modify its vehicles so that they are wheelchair-accessible.’

Ms Namey said Murrays and other public transport providers have a legal obligation to ensure that all new vehicles comply with the national Disability Standards, and that at least 25% of existing vehicles are modified to accommodate wheelchair passengers.

PIAC has asked the Court to cap Ms Haraksin’s costs in the matter, noting that Justice Annabelle Bennett AO agreed to a similar application when two people with disability successfully challenged Virgin Blue’s independent travel criteria.

The case returns to Court on 15 October 2010. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic O’Grady, PIAC Media and Communications Officer.