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Source: Senator Andrew Bartlett. Deputy Parliamentary Leader and Democrats Senator for Queensland Queensland Democrat Senator Andrew Bartlett has welcomed the tabling of a report by the Senate Community Affairs Committee into the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA) and urged federal and regional governments to seriously consider the report and respond to recommendations without delay. "We must grasp this chance to improve the effectiveness of the CSTDA. It is too important to let languish when it can, if implemented correctly, deliver real benefits to people with disabilities and carers," Senator Bartlett said. "Successive CSTDAs have not lived up to expectation, and without urgent consideration of the Committee's Report, the next CSTDA may well go down the same path. - "There are many important recommendations in the report which should be considered as a matter of urgency. For example:
Recommendation14, which highlights how vital it is for more funding to be provided for areas of unmet needs.
Recommendation 21, which emphasises the problems for people with disabilities who risk losing access to services when they move interstate.
Recommendation 25, which urges consideration of opportunities for greater individual control of funds where appropriate.
"We have a situation where committee members worked productively and were unanimous in their support on this fundamental issue. "It is an important example of party political differences being put aside and an outcome being achieved that can impact positively on those Australians living with a disability. "The committee's findings and recommendations need to be taken seriously by Minister Mal Brough, new Community Services Minister Nigel Scullion as well as their regional counterparts to ensure that real outcomes are achieved for people with serious needs. "We strongly urge the Government to urgently consider and commit to the Committee's recommendations which will go some way in redressing current imbalances," Senator Bartlett concluded.
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