If South Australia funded Education Services in the same manner they supported Disability support parents would burn Parliament House to the ground.
- When children turned 5 they would go on a waiting list for assesment to attend school
- When assesd they would go on a waiting list to attend school
- Some might not get to start school until they were 12
- Some might only get 2-3 hours schooling per week
- Some would be given 1-2 days a week of schooling
- No one would get the full service of 5 days of education
- Some would be told you cant attend school until some one else leaves the school ( or dies!)
- Some would be told you cannot have pencils and books until some one else has finished with them
- and some would be told if you want essential school equipment like a new computer go to Variety or Rotary
The South Australian Governments answer to the disability service crisis (yes people have been physically harmed and allegedly killed while waiting for services so that is really a crisis!) was to announce before the last election…….
another inquiry!!!!!!
Yesterday Kelly Vincent MLC (D4D) publicly advised that she and D4d could not support the Cappo Inquiry unless the SA Govt takes immediate action to address todays crisis. Disability Speaks totally supports Kelly and her courageous approach. A copy of the D4d press release is here.
There is nothing pretend about the crisis in SA. The Australian Productivity Commission report released in Jan this year 2010 (Table 14A.5) shows in 2004-2005 Qld spent $369.3 mill on disability services and SA $228.0 mill. Both states have approx 20,000 NDA clients. By 2008-2009 Qld had jumped too $598.0 up $230.0 mill or 62.2%. SA over five years had gone to $238.3 mill up $10.3 mill or 4.5%.
SA retains its unenviable record of being stone motherless last for disability funding nationally. This is a crisis!
It is little wonder that Kelly and the SA Disability Community is demanding that real action proceeds another inquiry!
Many in the disability sector regarded another government inquiry announced in a lead up to an election particularly from a government with a terrible track record of supporting people with a disability with deep suspicion. We are all aware numerous promises made as far back as 2001 by this Premier remain undelivered. We totally supports Kelly Vincent and the D4d approach. We need an immediate crisis aversion funding injection for disability services now, if the Govt expects widespread sector support for the Cappo inquiry.
This funding needs to be directed and delivered to 4 key areas with outcomes finalised in the next 3 years
- The unmet need waiting lists be cleared as Kelly has demanded,
- The closure of Adelaides very own disability ghetto Strathmont that is a disgrace,
- The freeing up of SATAS transport and journey to work vouchers so they are flexible, poolable and transferable to assist people with a disability to access at their leisure better transport arrangements.
- A sustainable equipment supply program
Mr Cappo said on ABC 891 radio yesterday (Abraham: Okay, your current brief though is to bring about a major reform of the disability sector … you’ve met with the new MP Kelly Vincent?) I have … her message is very clear. Support for what we’re doing in terms of bringing about a reform but her proviso is you need immediate action. There … are too many crisis points in the disability area in terms of the immediate needs of people for supported accommodation for respite, for equipment … a whole lot of areas and I’ve taken her message to heart … that means cash … in the next few budgets. (Abraham: … you’re a very senior Catholic Priest as well as a Social Inclusion Commissioner and … people are hurting in disabilities because there’s not enough cash and yet you’re also seeing a Government that’s splashing cash around on a stadium, particularly the latest $85m. How do you feel about that?) Well, it’s not a good look. I don’t think it’s a good look for Government and it’s not a good look for the community. (Abraham: How would you spend that $85m?) … with that sort of money we could certainly relieve some of the immediate pressures on people in the disability system. (Abraham: And would it be better spent doing that rather than writing another cheque for the Stadium Management Authority?) Well of course my bias is always the social issues affecting the community but I think the key message from me to Government is really, we’ve got to put disability far more at the top of our agenda than we have in the past. (Abraham: … do you think we get distracted by things like the stadium debate? … it’s been a major debate and both parties are having a bidding war on it and yet, things are done … there has been extra cash … to clear the waiting list, we’re told permanently for equipment for people with disabilities and yet that money has to be eeked out … and yet you see big cheques being handed over to SANFL and to SACA? Is that a question of priorities?) Well, it’s really not a good look at all and … I understand Government has a wide range of responsibilities to the community but I really hope that this particular year we can put the social issues really at the top of the list. (Abraham: … thank you for coming in to the studio.) It’s a pleasure. (Abraham: … in a moment we’ll have … we’ve had the priest, we’re going to have the sinner, we’ll have Kevin Foley, Treasurer and Acting Premier in the studio in just a tick.)
We think he has the message? But will Cappo have the Governments support?
David Holst
Chair
Disability Speaks Steering Committee
0418555683
www.disabilityspeaks.com.au
disabilityspeaks@internode.on.net
