DISABILITY SELF-MANAGED FUNDING

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:07): I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Disability questions regarding self-managed funding.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: The concept of self-managed funding is that people with disabilities are given their own disability funding to spend in a way they see as conducive to their lifestyle and support needs. In October 2009, the state government commenced a pilot program for self-managed funding of disability services. At that time, there was real hope that the government might be on the right track by offering people with disabilities more control over their life through such a scheme.

While there were—and in many respects still are—high hopes for the project, my office has received letters and emails from people who are dissatisfied and who feel somewhat let down by the government's attempt at self-managed funding. Of particular concern is the very limited scope of the project. For example, participants cannot employ their own support workers and are required to access all personal support services from registered providers. Another issue raised by constituents is the sheer inadequacy of funding offered under the packages. My questions are:

1. How many people registered an interest in the self-managed funding project and, of these people, how many actually signed up?

2. Of those who accepted offers, how many have withdrawn since then and what is their reason for withdrawing?

3. When will new self-managed funding places be available, and will there be places for all those who apply?

4. When will the program be expanded to include people who are not current clients of Disability SA; for example, Novita clients?

5. What is the government doing to ensure that people with disabilities who are not subject to self-managed funding arrangements still have a choice and autonomy in deciding what services are best for them?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:09): I thank the honourable member for her important questions, and I will refer them to the Minister for Disability in another place and bring back a response.