Some budget dignity for people with disabilities… finally
31/05/2012
This afternoon, Treasurer Snelling has allocated a forecasted $212.5 million over five years for people with disabilities in the State Budget.
“I cautiously welcome the state government’s significant injection of funding into the sector,” says Dignity for Disability’s MLC Kelly Vincent.
“In this climate of fiscal prudence, Dignity for Disability is certainly pleasantly surprised that the government is finally starting to take the crisis in the disability sector with some seriousness, proving that our agenda is credible and achievable.
“The lack of funding in the disability sector was bordering on human catastrophe so Premier Weatherill, Treasurer Snelling and Minister Hunter have had no choice but to pull up their socks and respond to community pressure and stump up urgently needed cash.
“The $106 million to support critical disability services over the next four years will certainly assist in clearing about 800 clients of the more than 1100 on the Category 1 unmet needs list at present.
“However, to truly address the unmet needs list we would need more like $100 million per year. At least this looks like a reasonable attempt by the government to acknowledge just how long the waiting list for disability services is in this state.
“I am really pleased that the government is committing to a measure I already have in a Bill before Parliament with their adoption of a Disability Community Visitor’s Scheme. My current Disability Services Amendment Bill seeks to do exactly that – I appreciate that the government is finally adopting a measure I have already introduced in legislative form.
“Whilst implementing a Community Visitor’s Scheme isn’t a costly measure, it’s certainly an important one in ensuring there is cultural change within the sector and the wider community in recognising the rights of people with disabilities that have too long been forgotten.
“The $20 million allocation for an NDIS launch site in South Australia is certainly a needed commitment if we’re to have any hope of being part of this project in its early years.
“The capital investment of $61.5 million for construction of disability housing group homes is certainly needed and will hopefully fund the building of at least 30 houses for those on the category 1 accommodation support waiting list.
“This is a long overdue concession by government that people with disabilities are suffering in a broken, underfunded system and still have a long road ahead.”
