Source: Senator Jan McLucas.  Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers and Labor Senator for Queensland

Media Statement - 8th February 2007

The Community Affairs Committee today tabled its report Funding and operation of the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement following a reference to the Committee by Labor’s Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas.

Initially the Government used their numbers in the Senate to prevent the Inquiry proceeding. Subsequently, following pressure from the disability sector, the Senate agreed.

The purpose of the reference was to inform the negotiations of the 4th Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA) agreement which are currently underway.

"The Senate Inquiry provided the opportunity for people with disabilities, carers of people with disabilities and the disability service sector to make their views known and they took up that opportunity with gusto," Senator McLucas said.

"The report is a unanimous report which will be welcome by the disability sector. Its unanimity sends a strong message to all Governments involved in the current negotiations.

"People with disabilities and their carers are exhausted by the perennial blame game they experience in their bid to access services and support.

"The report recommends that the CSTDA explicitly outline areas of responsibility so that people with disabilities and their carers are very clear about what services they can access.

"People with disabilities, like all Australians, want the opportunity to participate and contribute to society. The purpose of the CSTDA should be to support that goal.

“The success of the 4th CSTDA in achieving that goal will depend on the signatories committing to focus on the outcomes that the agreement should be achieving for people with disabilities rather than arguing about the financial inputs alone."

The Committee has agreed that as part of the next agreement, a higher level of National Disability Strategy be developed.

The National Disability Strategy will provide the framework that ensures that the rights and aspirations of people with disabilities are recognised and respected in all aspects of their lives. This will require a whole of government approach to dealing with people with disabilities as recommended by the Australian National Audit Office in their audit of the CSTDA.

"I commend the report to the Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers," Senator McLucas said.