Source: Office of the Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas

Labor welcomes the announcement today by the Prime Minister and Minister Brough to boost the funding for people with disabilities and their carers.

Carers shoulder a massive burden and they deserve every dollar of support Government can provide.

"Carers have repeatedly said that support services for people with disabilities and their carers must be sustainable and they need measures for ongoing, long term support," Senator McLucas said.

"Carers need to know how these measures will interface with the existing range of programs available to families.

"We know that families have to juggle access and eligibility for a range of services including disability programs provided by the states and territories, through the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement, Home and Community Care, the education system and Centrelink. This funding must not add further complexity to an already complex environment.

"However, I hope this announcement today does not represent an alternative to reaching agreement on the funding of the 4th Commonwealth State and Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA) currently under negotiation.

"Effective disability policy demands a ‘whole of Government’ response and the CSTDA means real services for people with a disability and their carers on the ground. It is vitally important that people have certainty they will get the support they need for the long term.

"State and Territory Ministers are strongly committed to a 4th multilateral CSTDA as their preferred platform by which to guide a coordinated, equitable national effort for delivering specialist disability services."

Contact: Sen Jan McLucas 0407 169 206
Heather Witham 0417 010 734