House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-03-06 Daily Xml

Contents

DISABILITY SERVICES

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:01): Again to the Minister for Disabilities: when will the minister implement the priority action recommendation of the Social Inclusion Board Strong Voices report to address the growing unmet needs listed for Disability Services? Since June 2012, the number of people on the unmet needs list has grown by 440 and the number of people on the unmet needs list for category 2 has grown by 208.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:01): Mr Speaker, can I have the question again?

The SPEAKER: It's an 'unmet need' question.

Dr McFETRIDGE: And I thought I was speaking slowly, Mr Speaker. You've just got to listen faster, guys, okay? When will the minister implement the priority action recommendations of the Social Inclusion Board Strong Voices report to address the growing unmet needs list for Disability Services? And I will repeat the explanation, with your leave, sir.

The SPEAKER: Well, if you must.

Dr McFETRIDGE: I think I must, sir. They're not listening there. Since June 2012, the number of people on the unmet needs list (category 1, I believe that to be) has grown by 440 and the number of people on the unmet needs list for category 2 has grown by 208.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: I thank the honourable member for the question. As I indicated in an earlier question, because of the way we operate the scheme in South Australia, we actually reach more people, and as a result of that, we have a list which is an unmet needs list, which is larger than other states because we have a much—

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: Because it's easier to get on it.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: It is easier to get on it. In terms of the answer, we are doing what we can to ensure that we keep that list as short as possible.