Companion Card to help the disabled

Companions of severe or profoundly disabled NSW residents will receive free public transport and entry to some government facilities as part of a new initiative.

The Companion Card will be available later this year and is aimed at assisting people who need a carer to better participate in the community.

"The Companion Card recognises that a carer is indispensable to a person with a profound or severe disability and gives them equal access to services and facilities like everyone else," Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Kristina Keneally said.

"The card will be free, it won't be means tested, and we estimate it will make it easier for about 25,000 people in NSW to better access the community, every day services and events.

"In addition to public buses and trains, we believe there will be strong support for the card from the private sector, particularly entertainment and sporting businesses."

All public transport, including ferries, plus entry to national parks and Sydney's Taronga Zoo will be covered by the Companion Card, Ms Keneally told reporters in Sydney.

With a Companion Card, a disabled person and their carer need only buy one public transport ticket and pay a single entry fee to entitle both to travel or access.

"This acknowledges carers and brings great recognition," carer Tania Hayes said.

Mrs Hayes cares for her severely disabled husband Warren, who suffered a brain injury following a tumour 11 years ago.

Welcoming the Companion Card, Ms Hayes said the "minimal" carer's pension did not allow for many luxuries like a trip to the zoo.

The government expects to issue about 25,000 Companion Cards at an annual cost of $2 million a year, Ms Keneally said.

The NSW opposition welcomed the introduction of the Companion Card but criticised the government for not making the move earlier, saying the idea was first slated by the coalition in 2006.

"I welcome Kristina Keneally adopting sound NSW Liberal/Nationals policy. It's just a shame the Iemma government didn't do it when it was first announced back in 2006," opposition disability services spokesman Andrew Constance said in a statement.

"Instead of welcoming sensible NSW Liberal/Nationals policy when it is announced, the Iemma government resorts to political point-scoring before adopting the same policy when the minister has run out of ideas.

"If the Iemma government had been sensible enough to adopt this policy when it was first announced by the NSW Liberal/Nationals in 2006, then carers would already be enjoying the benefits."

Mr Constance said the government should have acknowledged the coalition's input.

Perfecting the application process for the Companion Card took time and Ms Keneally said the government wanted to make sure it "got it right".

Sydney Morning Herald, Australia