There have been some recent threads about disability pensions so this issue is topical and something we should be bothering our politicians about.  It concerns the price gouging of disability equipment, which even if it hasn't affected some of us yet, it is likely to do so in the future.  Meanwhile you really have to wonder what all of those federal and State public bureaucrats are being paid for that they haven't already identified this as a priority for investigation and resolution.

Parents angry over disability product price gouging

Parents of disabled children say they are being gouged by Australian suppliers of overseas products, in some cases paying twice as much for the same devices in the United States, even though the Australian dollar is worth more than US currency.

Raising a child with a disability is an expensive exercise, particularly if a range of mobility and learning aids are required.

Bills for essential equipment can easily run into thousands of dollars.

One Brisbane mother-of-two does not want to be identified because the disability community is a small one and she fears if she criticises distributors there may be retribution.

Her five-year-old son has cerebral palsy and needs a range of equipment for his daily life: an electric wheelchair, a shower and toilet seat, a communication device - all of which cost thousands of dollars.

"We've just bought a power wheelchair which is $15,000, which is partly funded by government. His walker is close to $5,000," she said.

She says she is currently trying to purchase a shower seat.

"It retails here for about $3,400 and I've found it in the US for $1,500. So even if I pay $500 in shipping, I'm still so much better off," she said.

"I'm surprised that governance where they're subsidising equipment for families are getting ripped off. We're fortunate where my husband and I both work, and we kind of self-fund a lot of things, but there are families out there that are on the poverty line, particularly with families who have got disabilities."

Some people get around the high prices by ordering online, but that sacrifices things such as warranty, service and support.

With software giant Apple recently dropping its Australian prices given the high dollar, Lesley Hall from the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations has joined the call for fair pricing.

"We would certainly be wanting the government and suppliers to be looking at the reason why equipment is so much more expensive once it lands here," she said.

Queensland Disabilities Minister Curtis Pitt has promised to investigate.

"To have to be worried about excessive costs is of course a worrying trend," he said.

"I wouldn't suspect it would be a rogue element if at all, but I'm very pleased to follow this up, seek some advice from my department and obviously if need be, refer any matters to advice to the Minister for Fair Trading."

www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-16/companies-disabled-price-rises/2797208

No, I don't have anyone who needs the gear, I am old-fashioned enough to be concerned about the community not self all of the time.