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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-07-20 Daily Xml
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DISABILITY SERVICES

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:28): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Disabilities a question relating to accommodation for people living with disabilities.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: This year's budget provides for $61.5 million over three years for 'new high-quality community-based supported accommodation for people with a disability'. The Julia Farr Association Purple Orange recommends that the following principles guide the implementation of this allocation: separation of the roles of landlord and support provider to maximise the choice for individuals; investment in housing stock that reaches beyond group home accommodation and higher density cluster housing, so that people have genuine choice about housing; drawing on the existing specialised design and construction skills within the not-for-profit, non-government sector; and extending the potency of these funds by partnering with NGOs to extend the number and quality of housing outcomes. My questions to the minister are:

1. Which of these attributes will be reflected in the program?

2. How many dwellings will be built under the program?

3. How many people living with disabilities are expected to be housed under the program?

4. What proportion of the dwellings will be built in rural and regional parts of South Australia?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:30): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. It gives me an opportunity to once again reflect on the outstanding achievement of this government in terms of disabilities and our recent budget.

This government recognises that funding for disability services is important. It is a priority for us. That is why, since 2002, the state government more than doubled its investment in disability services from $135.4 million to $345.9 million in 2012-13, and that is why, in the 2012-13 budget, we have delivered $212.5 million in new funding over five years. I would like to take the opportunity that the Hon. Mr Wade has given me to detail how this $212.5 million will be used to increase support for people with disabilities and also their carers.

There has been $106.1 million set aside for the provision of essential support for people with critical needs, and this new funding will assist nearly 800 people over the next four years. As the Hon. Mr Wade has noted, $61.5 million over four years will fund the construction of supported accommodation facilities. This new funding equates to, although may not necessarily mean output of, roughly 63 houses for approximately, again, 252 people. That will, of course, depend on how we determine to house the individuals. Some may be in a different style of accommodation to what those calculations are based on, which is an average group-sized home.

There has been $21.6 million set aside over four years for the final stage of the Strathmont Centre closure. It is divided into $13.5 million in capital funding and $8.1 million for services. In 2005, there were 249 residents of Strathmont. Today, there are 26 residents remaining. This funding will ensure that these 26 residents will be able to move into smaller group homes where they will still receive 24-hour support but will have more opportunities to fully participate in their local communities.

There has been $2.3 million allocated for the creation of a Disability Community Visitor Scheme. This is something that has been much desired by the disability sector over the years, and the plan is to expand the highly regarded Mental Health Community Visitor Scheme to include disability supported accommodation facilities. The scheme will be overseen by Mr Maurice Corcoran.

We have also allocated $20 million towards the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The Weatherill government strongly supports the introduction of the NDIS, as it aligns with the significant reforms currently underway here in South Australia—most notably, the introduction of individualised self-managed funding. We have also provided a further $1 million to support the not-for-profit sector and service providers in planning and preparing for the NDIS. Of course, this new investment is in addition to existing funding in the launch site to make South Australia's overall contribution significantly greater than $21 million.

It is important to note that this $212.5 million is an investment into a reformed system. The reforms include the introduction of individualised and self-managed funding, the creation of a disability justice plan, the drafting of a new disability act and, of course, the significant changes taking place in preparation for the NDIS. These reforms, both at a state and national level, will mean that we are no longer pouring money into the crisis end of the system. Rather, the focus will be on early intervention and providing more effective support where it is needed and, therefore, reducing levels of unmet need into the future.

It is also important to recognise that this $212.5 million is a very significant investment in very challenging financial times. Despite ongoing global economic turbulence, both the federal and state economies remain relatively healthy. The national accounts for the March quarter released last quarter reaffirm Australia's position as one of the strongest economies in the world. Treasurer Wayne Swan is doing a remarkable job. Under his stewardship, the Australian economy grew faster than every single major advanced economy in the March quarter.

Despite record revenue writedowns, our state Treasurer, Jack Snelling, has delivered the right budget for these times. The 2012-13 budget is fiscally responsible while maintaining the appropriate confidence in South Australia's future economic prosperity and, even at such a time, we have been able to deliver $212.5 million for disabilities into the future.

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire: Is that a year? Extra a year?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: 212 over five years.

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, not exactly. You might need to read the budget papers, Hon. Mr Brokenshire, to work out how that is planned. The disability agency works very closely with Purple Orange, which is the former Julia Farr organisation. We work very closely with them in the provision and allocation of services, particularly in terms of training for the sector, and that close working relationship will continue into the future.

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