Why are we waiting?
30/11/2011
Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent today in Parliament questioned the Government over its total lack of action on South Australia’s Blueprint for Disability Services Reform.
Today is six weeks since the Blueprint’s publication, yet not a single recommendation has been publically adopted by the Government.
“This Saturday is International Day of People with Disabilities, so it is the perfect time for the Government to show South Australians with disabilities that it is committed to improving their lives,” said Ms Vincent.
“The now defunct Social Inclusion Board used the Blueprint to make 34 recommendations; 11 of those were highlighted as ‘Priority Action’. Despite the urgency of the Board’s recommendations the Government has not made any announcements detailing when or if it will follow through.
“While the Government procrastinates, people with disabilities remain stuck in unsuitable homes, with inadequate care and terrible quality of life. This point has been underlined by today’s release of a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers which tragically shows Australians with disabilities have a worse quality of life than their counterparts in all other OECD countries. ”
Ms Vincent used Question Time to directly ask Minister for Disabilities Ian Hunter if the Government will adopt the “Priority Action” recommendations of the Blueprint before the year ends.
She focussed particularly on the Social Inclusion Board’s recommendation to clear the unmet needs list.
“I am especially concerned about people with disabilities who are on the supported accommodation category one waiting list,” said Ms Vincent. “These people are, by the Government’s own definition, at risk of homelessness or harm to themselves or others, yet nothing is being done to change this situation.”
“The Blueprint recommends the Government urgently provide funds to help these people, and the best Christmas present Ian Hunter and Jay Weatherill could give people with disabilities is taking this advice on board.”
Minister Hunter responded to Ms Vincent’s questions and said an official response to the Blueprint would be made “soon”, but did not name a date for this announcement.
