Earlier this week Disability Speaks released the following:
We bring you comments from the key players regarding their key disability announcements, plus a summary from the National Disability and Carer Alliance that has been formed to advocate for National Disability Insurance.
Timely comments are as follows;
The Hon. BILL SHORTEN ALP
After 12 long years of neglect, the Gillard Labor Government put support for people with disability back on the national agenda.
We delivered historic increases to the DSP and Carer Payment now worth around $100 per fortnight for singles. We invested $1.7million in Disability Employment Services to end waiting lists for people with disability who want help finding a job.
We are doubling funding to the states and territories under the National Disability Agreement, providing more than $6 billion over five years. We ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and signed the Optional Protocol.
We are making public buildings more accessible through new Access to premises standards, and brokered a landmark agreement with the housing industry for all new homes to meet universal design standards by 2020.
We provided early intervention services for children with autism, and if re-elected will provide $12,000 for early intervention services for up to 7800 more young children with disability. We will also provide $60 million in capital funding to build innovative, community-based supported accommodation places.
Prime Minister Gillard has said that the status quo in disability can not continue and a re-elected Gillard Labor Government is committed to major reform in disability services.
That’s why our government has asked the Productivity Commission to undertake its landmark inquiry into the feasibility of a national care and support scheme for people with disability.
Only Labor understands the challenges faced by people with disability, so make sure your vote counts on August 21.
The Liberal Party / Coalition The Hon. Mitch Fifield
Australia’s system of support for people with disabilities is a broken, frayed patchwork. Many people with a disability are left without the assistance they need. There is a community consensus on the need to do better.
The Coalition supports the referral of the concept of a National Disability Insurance Scheme to the Productivity Commission for inquiry. Australians with a disability should be supported properly regardless of how they acquired their disability.
The Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, has said:
“There are millions of Australians who are involved with this, not because they necessarily have a disability themselves, but because their loved ones do and they are rightly, rightly very interested in the outcome of this Productivity Commission inquiry and we won’t let them down.”
(Tony Abbott, doorstop interview, Adelaide, 7 May 2010)
During the 2010 Election the Coalition has announced an increased and expanded Education Tax Rebate. For the first time, a range of expenses can be claimed including education costs for children with special needs. The Coalition has also announced $314 million to provide portable funding for students with a disability through an Education Card worth up to $20,000 per year. Further elements of the Coalition’s disability policy will be released during the election.
The more government is able to live within its means, the more can be done to support Australians with disability. That’s why the Coalition wants to end Labor’s waste and repay their debt.
More details are available at www.liberal.org.au
The Greens, Lead Senate Candidate Penny Wright SA
Overall Greens policy
The Greens are committed to a fairer, more inclusive society for all Australians including people with a disability. Our policy: http://greens.org.au/policies/care-for-people/disability
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The Greens broadly support the NDIS initiative but are concerned that it does not address the immediate and urgent needs of carers. Greens’ Senator Rachel Siewert has worked hard to secure increased income support for carers. http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/disability-carers-need-urgent-financial-support-increase
The Greens negotiated improvements to the Fair Work Act which secured the right to request flexible working hours for parents and carers of children with a disability under the age of 18.
The Greens consider it is important that the NDIS deals adequately with the following:
- a range of support options, including individualised approaches
- a co-ordinated package of care services which includes accommodation, aids and equipment, respite, transport and a range of community participation and day programs for a person’s lifetime
- assisting a person to make decisions about their own support
- support for participation in employment where possible.
The Greens’ ability to secure improvements in disability policy depends on the strength of our voice in parliament. The more Greens Senators, the more likely it is that whoever is in government will consider Greens ideas and amendments which are directed to achieving a kinder, fairer society.
David Holst
Chair – Disability Speaks Steering Committee
0418 555 683
