Transport Subsidy Scheme

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services regarding the SA Transport Subsidy Scheme.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The government extension to the SA Transport Subsidy Scheme is about to end. Under this, the annual subsidy awarded to an ambulant user has been $3,200 and for a non-ambulant it has been $4,800. Given that figures for the NDIS state that the maximum subsidy anyone could receive from the NDIS would be $3,456 per annum, and the minimum could be as low as zero, this goes against advice from both state and federal Liberal governments, who have stated that no-one would be worse off. Obviously, this means that every person who currently utilises the state scheme and transitions to the NDIS would be disadvantaged significantly. My question to the minister is: will the minister finally commit to continuing the scheme until much-needed changes are made to the NDIS transport subsidy?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for his important question. I would like to correct at the outset his assertion that the scheme is about to end, because it continues and people can continue to use their vouchers until the end of this calendar year.

The issue of transport and NDIS has been a source of frustration for myself as minister since coming to office and something which I continue to strongly lobby the federal government about. In the meantime, NDIS participants have access to both schemes so, in effect, they are not disadvantaged at the moment because if they have transport in their plans then there are other components that they are able to use towards transport, and if they are existing SATSS customers then they actually have access to both schemes at the moment.

In terms of the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme, it was extended for people who have transitioned to the NDIS with a further book of 80 vouchers when they reordered voucher books before 30 June, and these remain valid. It is a national problem, so South Australian officials, along with other jurisdictions, have continued to raise the NDIA concerns around adequacy of transport under the three-tier package system. I have personally escalated this matter at the national level through the Disability Reform Council and I am pushing for a resolution as soon as possible.

The National Disability Insurance Agency is working with the commonwealth, states and territories on the development of policy for transport supports under the NDIS, which includes consideration of levels of support arrangements. Decisions as to the future of the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme beyond December 2019 will need to be made in light of any revised NDIA approach. As soon as we are able to provide new information we will do so.