Budget 2011: Disability Sector Demands Real Service, Not Lip Service
06/06/2011
Another year. Another budget. Another anxious wait for those whose lives depend on Government decisions.
Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent presents her wish-list for this Thursday’s 2011 State Budget:
Funding to clear the unmet needs waiting list.
“The Unmet Needs waiting list is a human rights black-spot on our Government’s record,” said Ms Vincent.
“An immediate injection of funding is needed to provide essential services to people with disabilities, some of whom have been waiting years for things like accommodation. Spending in non-essential areas ahead of providing funding here would be a sad indication of this Government’s back-to-front priorities.”
Clear the 100-day waiting list at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre and other Hospitals.
“Over 100 people with disabilities are stuck in hospital just because the Government can’t see fit to provide a little bit of extra help for them at home. This is an inhumane and economically idiotic state of affairs. The cost of providing someone support at home is, in most cases, vastly cheaper than providing them a bed in hospital. If the Treasurer can’t see this, he should consider a new career,” said Ms Vincent.
Instate medical cooling concessions.
“A medical cooling concession is a cheap measure which could improve the quality of life for many people with disabilities immeasurably. The Opposition last week committed to this policy, it’s time for the Government to show that it too cares about the disability community,” said Ms Vincent.
Expand the self-managed funding project
“In October 2009, the State Government made the decision to start a pilot program which allowed people with disabilities to spend their funding on services of their choosing. This was a great move, but the time has for evaluation and expansion has long passed. We know that self-managed funding works. This Government cannot continue to have patronising control over disability funding as if it were a child’s pocket money. We will no longer accept pilot-program token gestures, we need real progress on self-managed funding,” said Ms Vincent.
Reinstate and increase subsidies on incontinence products.
“The Health Department has made the narrow-minded decision to close the outpatient retail service at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre which provided incontinence products at near-cost prices,” said Ms Vincent.
“Now some people are being forced to pay more than $2 just to urinate safely and hygienically. No South Australian should face this kind of cost on something most take for granted. The Government must reopen this service and consider offering even more support to those who need help in this essential area.”
Rescind decision to transfer trust funds from Disability SA to the Public Trustee
“This savings measure was announced in the last budget and is designed to save a measly $2.2 million over three years. It will also cost at-risk individuals with disabilities thousands of dollars. No Government with a conscience could let this kind of policy stand, especially after the Legislative Council has voted to overturn it,” said Ms Vincent.
“Mr Snelling’s decision on these issues will be a true test of how well he can listen to the SA public, and the SA Parliament.”
