On 1st of July 2009 the Commonwealth Government increased the rate of indexation of funding for disability services from 1.8% to 5%. The 3.2% difference represents millions of dollars these agencies need to continue providing crucial services to people with disabilities.

 

Shadow Disability Services Minister Stephen Wade today called on Disability Minister Jennifer Rankine to immediately pass the Federal funding on to more than one hundred non-government disability service providers who need the funding to maintain their services.

 

“Yesterday the Minister confirmed that, even though part of the indexation was to maintain the real value of current grants in the face of inflation the Rann Government is still holding on to the money,” Mr Wade said.

 

“Until the Minister releases the funding non-government disability agencies face the prospect of having to reduce desperately needed support.

 

“This heartless and arrogant action demonstrates how out of touch Jennifer Rankine is with the desperate need of so many individuals and families relying on disability services.

 

“Clearly, while Monsignor Cappo realises the state of disability services is a ‘major social disaster’ the Minister is still denying reality.

 

“Failing to pass on inflation related funding granted by another level of government is, in reality, a funding cut.

 

“The Rann Government needs to be transparent about the funding cut and accountable for its use.

 

“People with disabilities can only assume that government funded services are being propped up by grabbing money destined for non-government services”.

 

Mr Wade said that, even if the cut was not in breach of the terms of the National Disability Agreement, it was clearly contrary to the spirit and the long established practice.