Source: Office of the ACT Minister for Disability Services, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA

On the eve of a Disability Ministers meeting in Brisbane, Minister for Disability Services Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA has called on the Commonwealth Government to take the advice of their own Senator Gary Humphries when negotiating the next Commonwealth, State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA) which is due to commence in July 2007.

“Mr. Humphries has chaired an inquiry into disability funding and unanimous senate report was tabled in February 2007.  The report made 29 recommendations including a key recommendation that all governments should jointly commit to additional funding to address identified unmet need for disability services,” Ms. Gallagher said.

“The ACT Government strongly supports this recommendation,” she said.  “The ACT already spends around $5.88 on disability funding to receive just $1.00 from the Commonwealth Government.  We are more than meeting our responsibilities,” she said.

Senator Humphries’ report also recommended that Commonwealth funding be distributed amongst the States and Territories on a more equitable basis. “This is an important recommendation, as historically the ACT has suffered significantly due to an inequitable funding regime.”

“Unfortunately the Commonwealth Government appears to be ignoring Senator Humphries’ report and have refused to increase their contributions above indexation at 1.8% under the new CSTDA. Indexation of 1.8% doesn’t even meet wage increases let alone meeting any of the unmet need.”

“This position of the Commonwealth simply ignores the work of the committee and the growing demand for disability services across the country,” she said.

The next meeting of Disability Services Ministers from all jurisdictions to discuss the development of the CSTDA4 is scheduled for Tuesday 3rd April.

“Early discussions indicate that the commonwealth will not budge on their unsatisfactory initial offer, however I am hopeful that their position will change.”

“I urge the Commonwealth Government to negotiate this new agreement in good faith in order to do the right thing for people with disabilities, their families and carers,” Ms. Gallagher concluded.          

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