Polio SA

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:19): My question is to the Minister for Human Services about polio. Will the minister agree to meet with Polio SA to discuss their funding agreement, which is coming to an end soon and, if not, why won't the minister meet with sufferers of polio and their representatives?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:19): I thank the honourable member for his question. Polio SA is one of four tenants of a property in South Australia which has a service agreement which is due to expire on 30 June which provided for support for that site. This has been a longstanding arrangement the state had while the state transitioned to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. My understanding is that the Department of Human Services has provided approximately $54,000 per annum to Polio SA through the Community Business Bureau for support for the organisation.

DHS staff have met with Polio SA and written to them outlining strategies to support them in transitioning to the national disability as well as aged-care schemes. From the information that has been provided to me by the Department of Human Services, most people receiving services through Polio SA are over 65 and are ineligible for the NDIS, and many of those people have indicated they receive services through My Aged Care. The Department of Human Services is continuing to work with Polio SA to ensure people are able to access services they are entitled to receive.

Polio SA, I understand, has communicated a desire to remain at that property. I understand they may have reached an agreement with one of the other organisations, which has negotiated a lease with the building owner to remain at that site. My department has had considerable discussions with this organisation to reach a satisfactory conclusion for all of those organisations. There is discussion, I understand, in relation to unexpended funds for the end of their agreement period. I would encourage Polio SA to continue those particular discussions with my department. I don't believe there is any additional need for Polio SA to engage with myself directly, because I will just be reiterating the advice of my department.