National Relay Service

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question on the topic of the National Relay Service to the Minister for Human Services.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Since 1995, Australia's National Relay Service has provided a bridge to the wider community and is a vital service for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or who have speech impairment. However, on 4 April this year, the federal government released a request for tender for the next National Relay Service that, under the existing arrangements, is far less than is currently enjoyed.

Under the existing arrangements telecommunications companies making in excess of $25 million pay a levy to fund the service. Under the new arrangements recently announced by the federal government, however, this levy has reduced, resulting in a cut to the NRS budget of $10 million, down to $22 million from the current $32 million. This will result in a change from around-the-clock services on every day of the year to operation only in business hours, with the exception of what are defined as emergencies.

My understanding is that will mean, for example, that 131 444 is not available but 000 will be available. However, of course, the service of 131 444 is not necessarily the service that somebody in a difficult situation may need, which may not yet be an emergency. Should this go ahead many people will have restricted access to services, including, of course, state services. My question to the minister is: what will the state government do to support people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have speech impairment being able to access the state services and federal services that they so need?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for her important question. Clearly, any services that provide independence and dignity to people with disability are incredibly important to enable them to live their lives as the rest of us do. I was not aware of that particular matter but I will take it up with the commonwealth government and get a response for the honourable member as soon as possible.