Source: Office of the The Hon. Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; and Office of the The Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services

                            

                                                   The Hon. Jenny Macklin MP,                               The Hon. Bill Shorten MP
                                                   Minister for Families, Housing,                            Parliamentary Secretary for
                                                   Community Services and                                   Disabilities and Children’s
                                                   Indigenous Affairs                                             Services

9 January 2008

Australian Government provides funding to extend disability agreement

The Australian Government will provide over $315 million, to be paid fortnightly in advance, to State and Territory Governments to continue services for people with disability while allowing time for the effective renegotiation of a new disability agreement.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, today invited State and Territory Governments to agree to the offer to extend the current Commonwealth-State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA).

“The Australian Government has offered to extend the CSTDA for a period of six months to 30 June 2008 while negotiations are progressing and any issues associated with the new disability agreement are being resolved,” Ms Macklin said.

“The Australian Government is committed, through the CSTDA, to working with states and territories to continue providing quality services for people with disability.”

“It is a great opportunity for moving forward co-operatively in the area of Commonwealth, State and Territory relations in a responsive and productive manner,” Mr Shorten said.

“I am looking forward to working nationally to improve services and support for people with disability across the country.”
 
Media Contact:  Brian Quinlan 0419 254 069 (Jenny Macklin)
                          Cath Sullivan 0448 025 042 (Bill Shorten)