NSW Parliament was today told that the Rudd Government’s first budget provided a strong endorsement of the Iemma Government’s spending and policy priorities for ageing and disability services in NSW.
NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, welcomed the renewed partnership between the NSW and Federal Governments to deliver better services.
"It’s an old saying but a good one: a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members, and I’m pleased my portfolios provide another example of how the Iemma and Rudd Governments are partnering to deliver for the people who need us to," Ms Keneally said.
"The Federal Budget, announced last night, will help the Iemma Government to continue to get on with the job of improving services to NSW Seniors, people with disabilities and their carers.
"This is highlighted by the Federal Government’s announcement that they will work with the State Governments to develop a National Disability Strategy.
"$7.7 million worth of funding for this federal election commitment will see the development of an overarching framework encompassing Commonwealth, State and Territory disability services and supporting initiatives.
"This is great news and a far cry from the bad old days of the Howard Government, who wanted to duplicate systems such as supported accommodation to make it more confusing and complicated for people to access services."
Ms Keneally said that highlights of the Federal Budget included:
• $114.5 million over four years to provide 38 new child care centres across Australia, including six early intervention centres for children with autism. This is aligned with the Iemma Government’s recently announced $6 million autism package, which includes an autism specific child care centre in Western Sydney.
• $25.7 million over four years for a Business Services Wage Assessment Tool, which will help business determine fair wages for people with disabilities in supported employment. This complements the Iemma Government’s Transition To Work Program - seventy percent of graduates from the program transition to employment or further education.
• $721.7 million to improve assistance to carers, including $428.1 million over two years for a lump sum payment to carers of people with disabilities and the frail aged.
• A $1 billion commitment to disability services in Australia, including an immediate extra $100 million in capital works funding for supported accommodation.
• An approximately $5.5 billion investment over five years to assist seniors access basic services, including broadband internet and an increase in the utilities allowance, seniors concession allowance and telephone allowance.
Ms Keneally said that the State and Federal Governments would continue to work together to deliver better services.
"There is more that can be done - and we are doing more. The Iemma Government will continue to work with the Rudd Government and Non Government Sector to deliver services to NSW Seniors, and the help needed by people with disabilities, their families and carers," Ms Keneally said.