DISABILITY SERVICES

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:04): I have a question for the Minister for Disabilities. I ask him to advise the house how South Australia's provision for services for people with a disability compares to that of the rest of Australia.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:04): I would like to thank the honourable member for her question. I would also like to congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on your elevation to the position of Speaker. Support for disability services has reached—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister, I think it was most unfortunate, the remark that the leader just made. It is offensive; it is not unparliamentary.

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: No, he has not complained and because he has not complained I cannot require the leader to withdraw it. We return to the Minister for Disabilities.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The area of disability is very important so I am hoping that the opposition may perhaps listen to the answer. Support for disability services has reached a critical stage of public policy development with the National Disability Insurance Scheme being marked as one of the highest priorities of the commonwealth government, and I am proud that South Australia is one of the first states to commit to this historic reform.

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Point of order from the member for Bragg. I hope it is a point of order.

Ms CHAPMAN: Indeed it is, sir. The minister is giving his first answer, I think, as minister and we are trying to listen carefully to what he has to say, but the repeated interjections by the Minister for Transport are not only unhelpful but unruly.

The SPEAKER: Thank you for that entirely unnecessary advice. I have called the Minister for Transport to order once; I didn't see the necessity to warn him.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Since coming to government, Labor has built a proud record to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community do not get left behind, and those who are in need of special services have adequate and timely access to them. Despite the challenging economic circumstances facing the state and, indeed, the world, it is vital that we maintain a strong level of services to the disability sector.

The Productivity Commission's Report on Government Services 2013, which effectively provides a report card on the performance of governments across Australia and their service delivery, identified that South Australia's total funding for disability services increased by $39 million from the previous year, to $433 million in 2011-12. This level of funding is in line with the national average level of funding for disability services. On a per capita basis for the entire population, funding for disability services is approximately $261 per person. This is almost exactly in line with the national average of $262.

Whilst our funding is on par with the national level, South Australia continues to have lower administration costs compared to the national average. Importantly, in the last full financial year administration expenditure as a proportion of recurrent expenditure was only 4.3 per cent compared to the national average of 7.27 per cent.

Evidence from the Productivity Commission report also shows that people with a disability who require specialist disability services were most likely to receive services in South Australia compared to people in other states and territories. It is worth noting that South Australia also performed well in terms of service provision for Aboriginal people with a disability. Nearly two-thirds of this population received services in South Australia, compared to the national average of 40.5 per cent. I am also advised this is currently the highest level of Aboriginal access to disability services in Australia.

The Weatherill government is committed to disability services that are inclusive, cost-effective and beneficial to all who require them. I have already met with many stakeholders in this sector and look forward to meeting many more. I want to make it very clear to the disability sector that my office door is wide open and I am happy to listen to any suggestions that they or any individuals may have about how the sector can further benefit and, indeed, create more opportunities for those most in need.