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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-02-04 Daily Xml
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Disability Transport Services

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Human Services, but I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the question.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS: In October 2019, the minister announced that the federal government had agreed to fund the SA taxi subsidy scheme for NDIS participants until 31 October 2021 or until longer term NDIS funding was agreed—so either/or. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many NDIS plans have simply been rolled over by the commonwealth government. This means that many people are still completely reliant on the SA taxi subsidy scheme. Further, it has been discovered that people with intellectual disabilities are being excluded from the scheme and are being told that they can catch public transport without proper checks on their safety and capacity. My questions to the minister are:

1. Will the minister rule out the taxi scheme ending in October for NDIS participants if they don't have the same or better transport assistance under the NDIS?

2. What discussions has the minister had with the commonwealth about extending the taxi scheme until all South Australian NDIS participants get adequate transport assistance from the NDIS?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:01): If I can answer the last part of her question first, this matter is an active discussion point through the Disability Reform Council, and South Australia's views are made known to the commonwealth in that respect. In relation to transport, as I think I may have described previously, there are three transport levels, ranging from $1,600 to $3,500, depending on whether participants are working, looking for work, studying or attending day programs.

SATSS supports people with permanent and severe disability who are unable to use public transport, providing a subsidy of up to 75 per cent on taxi fares. From 1 March last year, participants have been able to flexibly use their plans' core support funding to claim service provider costs associated with transport to and from NDIS-funded community-based activities, and providers are able to claim some of their vehicle running costs.

There is a program which is known as independent assessments which is being rolled out, and that has delayed some of the uplift, if you like, that I have spoken about previously, into people's NDIS plans. There are some developments in terms of a potential extension to the program, but those decisions have to be made via the Disability Reform Council process, so I can't provide those details until all jurisdictions have agreed, but that is something that we are continuing to support and advocate for.

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