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

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

Media Release 

12 February 2007

Federal Government refuses to budge on disability funding

Senator McLucas said today that she was extraordinarily disappointed that the Commonwealth is refusing to budge on its contribution to the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA).

The Government has ignored the Senate Inquiry report into disability funding handed down last week.

Departmental officials said in Senate Estimates today there would be no growth funding forthcoming from the Commonwealth in the negotiations for the Fourth Agreement, with funding due to commence in July 2007. The current contribution from the Commonwealth is less than 20% of disability funding; the States and Territories contribute over 80%. Further, the officials indicated that indexation would remain at the paltry 1.8%.

"The Minister for Community Services appears to be completely out of touch with the needs of people with disabilities, and I urge him to immediately read the Senate Inquiry Report so he can be more informed about how people with disabilities and their carers and disability service providers feel about the perennial cost-shifting argument," Senator McLucas said. "How can you go into negotiations having already refused to budge on your position?

"People with disabilities and their carers are exhausted by the constant blame game they experience in their bid to access services and support, and yet the Federal Government is continuing down this path with its refusal to contemplate increased funding.

"I urge the Minister to go to the negotiation table with the States in Territories in good faith to do the right thing for people with disabilities and their carers.

"Evidence to the Senate Committee about the level of unmet need was overwhelming. People with disabilities and their carers are looking for a partnership between the Commonwealth, States and Territories not even more buck-passing."

The States and Territories have already provided more funding than required under the current CSTDA. For example: NSW $780 million more than required; QLD $338 million more than required; VIC $675 million more than required.

Contact: Senator Jan McLucas 0407 169 206

Heather Witham 0417 010 734