Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Disability funding shortfall

The Commonwealth Government has decided not to increase its contribution to disability funding despite the fact that, under the Commonwealth State Disability Agreement (CSDA), the States were increasingly contributing more funding for Australians with a disability.

A 1997 study conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) found that the needs of people with severe and profound disabilities for accommodation support, respite and day programs were not being met.

In Australia, an estimated 13,400 people are missing out on accommodation support and respite and 12,000 people are missing out on day programs.

The AIHW estimates that the total cost of resolving this backlog of demand would be $293.8 million nationally.

The Victorian Government currently contributes $478 million to accommodation support, respite and day care programs while the Commonwealth contributes only $74 million; even though funding responsibility for these services is shared under the CSDA.

Thus, the Victorian Government is spending 87 % of the total, while the Commonwealth contributes only 13 %.

The Minister for Youth and Community Services, Dr Napthine, said the Victorian Government contributed more than any other state in Australia. Victoria’s spending of $478 million compares to NSW and Queensland at $468 million and $139 million respectively.

Since 1994, spending by the Victorian Government has grown from $270 million to $478 million in 1998/99. Over the same period, the Commonwealth's spending has only grown from $49 million to $74 million.

Dr Napthine said: "Any potential new financial arrangements involving the GST are not due to be in place until at least 2002. But the issue of funding for people with disabilities and their families simply cannot wait."

Dr Napthine said he would be happy to meet again with the Commonwealth Minister for Families and Community Services, Senator Newman, as soon as she was prepared to put a concrete funding offer on the table.

(News Releases, Office of the Minister for Youth and Community Services, April 8, 1999)

(News Releases, Office of the Minister for Youth and Community Services, April 9, 1999)