DISABILITY SERVICES

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:00): My question is again to the Minister for Disabilities. Does the minister agree with Public Advocate John Brayley that government expenditure per disability user is still lower in South Australia than in any other state?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:00): I thank the member for the question. If the member is asking do we actually spend less dollars per individual who receives a service, that is correct. However, if the member is asking if we actually spend more money on more people in the system, in that case he is incorrect, because the way we operate the scheme in this state means more people are actually eligible for services. As a result, because we have more people eligible for services—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: That's right, we have a broader definition. We actually service more people per head of population, so we actually are supporting more individuals, more families, and, as a result, less dollars per individual. However, the needs of more people are met.