Transport Subsidy Scheme

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Human Services a question about disability transport services.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The opposition has had numerous calls from people with disabilities who are going to be affected by a reduction in transport subsidies. We had an email sent to us from a particular support provider. He wrote:

Our customers need transport to be able to achieve their life goals. People with disability can't build their capacity if they are not able to get around. Access to transport has implications across all areas of our customer's lives. Reduced access to transport will affect their work opportunities, the time they can spend with their families, their access to the community. Ultimately lack of transport could have negative impacts on people's quality of life. Transport needs to be adequately funded to meet each individual's needs under the NDIS.

My question to the minister is: what representations or discussions has the minister had with her federal counterpart to ensure South Australians living with disability are not left behind when it comes to the transportation component of their NDIS plans?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for his question. I meet with and discuss a number of matters through the Disability Reform Council—things which are on the future agenda—so the matter of school transport in particular is one that is not yet in train. I have therefore been able to make representations on behalf of the South Australian government as far as that should be treated into the future.

Under the NDIS, there are three transport support levels, ranging from approximately $1,600 to $3,500, dependent on whether participants are working, looking for work, studying or attending day programs. In exceptional circumstances, participants may receive higher funding if they have either general or funded supports in their plan to enable participation in employment. Those are the facts of the matter. I continue to represent South Australia on a range of interface issues going forward as we continue to move to full transition of the NDIS.