BackSunday, 29 October 2017
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis negotiates with Dignity Party MLC Kelly Vincent for $41 million
Adelaide Advertiser | Tory Shepherd
DIGNITY Party MLC Kelly Vincent has driven a “hard bargain” with Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis — and won $41 million for people with disabilities in return for supporting the bank tax.
Mr Koutsantonis is fighting a tough battle to get the levy on the five major banks — expected to raise around $100 million a year — through the Upper House. The $41 million over four years will fund services including:
A $10.25 MILLION Borderline Personality Disorder Centre of Excellence.
A $17.1 MILLION Intensive Home Based Support Service mental health program.
$1.7 MILLION in grants for Changing Places high-level accessible toilets.
Ms Vincent said disadvantaged people had struggled for too long to get the support they needed.
“I’ll take every possible opportunity to vehemently defend those who have gone without vital supports and make sure government money is spent on those who need it most,’’ she said.
She had been fighting for the BPD fund for six years, particularly because the mental health disorder is treatable.
Advocates estimate about one in five South Australians is ultimately affected by the disorder, whether they have it or someone close to them does, and the suicide rate for sufferers is high.
Clinical psychiatrist Martha Kent said that with evidence-based treatment, up to 80 per cent of sufferers could live a functional life.
Mr Koutsantonis welcomed Ms Vincent’s support, saying she had “gone out and fought for her community” and confirming the services would be funded even if the Bill fails.
The bank tax is part of the overall Budget measures.
Mr Koutsantonis attacked the Liberal Party for blocking the Bill, saying it was also blocking payroll tax cuts for small businesses, stamp duty concessions, and grants for buyers of off-the-plan apartments.
It would be an “unprecedented” situation if the Budget failed to pass, he said.
While Mr Koutsantonis now has the Dignity Party on board, the Opposition, the Australian Conservatives, and independent John Darley are set to block the bill, which is expected to go to the Upper House this week.
Mr Koutsantonis is not optimistic, even though he just needs to convince one more MLC to vote for it.
