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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-05-19 Daily Xml
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DISABILITY SA CLIENT TRUST ACCOUNT

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:48): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Government Enterprises representing the Minister for Families and Communities a question regarding the Disability SA Trust Fund.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I, like the Hon. Mr Hood, believe that we should give credit to this government where credit is due, and as such I congratulate this government on its decision to defer its decision to abolish the Disability SA Client Trust Fund Account until July 2012.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I haven't finished congratulating you yet. If you don't want to hear it you can—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: It seems that the minister now concedes that this was a rash decision, made without due consideration to the affected parties, and I for one appreciate the extra time that has been afforded to clients and their families. As I indicated in this place last night, while it was not the best outcome it was certainly a step in the right direction. The minister said on Radio 891 in January that the original decision to abolish the fund was made in response to complaints from families. However, the minister faced an even bigger backlash once this decision was announced. It appears that after the decision was made the minister conceded that there were problems and set up a steering committee to identify and resolve these issues.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Consultation after the event.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: Exactly. My questions are:

1. Between 1 January 2010 and 1 September 2010, how many families complained about the department's ability to manage the fund?

2. From 20 September 2010 until 17 May 2010, how many families complained to the department about the decision to abolish the fund?

3. What issues associated with the transfer were identified by the steering committee, and how did the steering committee propose to address such issues?

4. Does the minister concede that the decision to transfer client funds to the Public Trustee by July 2011 was made without due consideration of the relevant issues?

5. Why has the government chosen to stick with the decision to abolish the trust fund?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:51): I thank the honourable member for her most important questions. I will refer them to the Minister for Families and Communities in another place and bring back a response.

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