FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): My question is to the Minister for Disability. How much will it cost to fund the new position of deputy chief executive of the Department for Families and Communities, and can the minister assure the house that none of the savings measures in the 2006-07 budget will be used to fund the position?

Last week, the minister's department wrote to people with a disability, advising them that they would be charged for the use of basic disability equipment. The minister said that this measure would save $200,000. At the end of last week, the minister's department advertised for a new second deputy chief executive, with responsibility for disability services, at an estimated salary of over $200,000. The government has claimed that the department's savings measures would be reinvested directly into supported accommodation and respite care.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management) (14:28): None of the changes in relation to the executive positions will be funded out of disability services funding. They will be made from other overhead savings within the department. That is absolutely clear.