Revolutionary Reform At Long Last
10/08/2011
The disability sector is celebrating today after the Gillard Government endorsed a plan to provide guaranteed life-long care and support to people with disabilities.
Ten days ago the Productivity Commission handed a report on disability services to the Federal Government. The Commission recommended a federally-funded scheme be established to deliver consistent and reliable services to people with a disability.
The scheme will be a revolution in disability services and a huge improvement on the current state-based broke and broken system, which is riddled with waiting lists, arbitrary discrimination and low quality service.
“The current system is failing people with disabilities by denying them basic services and supports. It is bureaucratic and inefficient, and as a result it ruins the lives of Australians,” said Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent.
“I am relieved that our Prime Minister has thrown her party’s support behind a national scheme. She has given me hope that one day Australians with a disability might have the same opportunities as everyone else.”
The Productivity Commission’s final report was made public today. The Commission estimates the scheme will cost an additional $6.5 billion per year.
“The cost may seem high when first considered, but I believe that you cannot put a price on caring for the vulnerable in our community,” said Ms Vincent.
“It is our responsibility as a nation to do our best for the people who need support, and I congratulate the Gillard Government on recognising this.”
Ms Gillard today announced that a COAG select committee will be established to start preparations for the roll-out of a national scheme. She allocated $10 million to fund policy development for a scheme but was unwilling to put a timeline on when a national scheme might be in operation.
“The refusal to commit to a timeline for this scheme is a great disappointment,” said Ms Vincent.
“While I appreciate that these kinds of reforms take time, the lack of forecasting is not acceptable. It is a terrible shame that many people with disabilities who have waited so long to see this change will die before it becomes a reality.”
Ms Vincent is calling on the Government to provide strong interim measures to rescue the flagging current system while preparations for a transition are made.
“Having this long term vision for reform is fantastic, but we should never forget the people who are suffering now. The Federal Government needs to inject urgent funds into the flagging state-based system while it negotiates this change with the states.”
