Assistant Minister for Social Services is Senator Mitch Fifield says that Australian Disability Enterprises would struggle to break even or even remain viable if a new wage assessment tool for disabled workers were implemented immediately. He says that the companies provide the dignity of work and a social life for people with limited opportunites for … Continued
The Human Rights Commission appears on a collision course with the Federal Government, disability advocates and those in the disability employment sector, after its decision on how wages should be assessed for workers with a severe disability. Disability Enterprises and the Federal Government have tried to delay the transition to a new wage-assessment model, but … Continued
Home and Community Care services supporting seniors, younger people with disability and their carers will receive a $33.9 million funding boost across Victoria. The federal Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield and Victorian Minister for Ageing David Davis said the extra Home and Community Care (HACC) funding would expand services across the state. “The … Continued
NDIA interim headquarters opened in Geelong Over 100 jobs created by end 2014, 450 by 2016, providing a $34 million boost for Geelong and Barwon region economy $25 million from the Victorian Government to establish the national NDIA office in Geelong Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Victorian Premier Denis Napthine today opened the new National … Continued
National peak disability and advocacy groups condemn the decision by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to allow the Australian Government and sheltered workshops (also known as Australian Disability Enterprises or ‘ADEs’) to continue to discriminate against employees with disability. However, we also applaud the AHRC for placing the final nail in the coffin of … Continued
Australians for Disability and Diversity Employment (ADDE) INC, a national disability lobby group, today makes a desperate plea to all State, Territory and Federal Governments to stop inflicting further pain and insecurity upon Australia’s disabled citizens. Spokesperson, Martin Stewart, said “Over the last month the Federal Government in particular, has conducted a cruel and insensitive … Continued
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) opposes any delay to the full rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We hold grave concerns about the Government’s commitment to the scheme after a delay was recommended in today’s Commission of Audit report. President of People with Disability Australia, Craig Wallace said, “The scheme is already being … Continued
Victorian Coalition Government will deliver on its election promise, closing the Oakleigh Centre’s congregate care facility for people with an intellectual disability Funding of $14.1 million to boost quality of care for 29 people with an intellectual disability, offering more choice and better tailored services Consultation will soon begin with residents and their families about … Continued
No cuts or delays should be made in the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as disabled Australians have waited long enough, the federal opposition says. Opposition families spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been told by the majority of states and territories that there must be no delay with … Continued
Disabled Australians face years of delays in getting taxpayer-funded care after the National Disability Insurance Agency admitted its tight delivery deadline could blow out costs or compromise quality. The Commission of Audit wants to postpone the $22 billion national disability insurance scheme by up to three years to avoid “significant financial risks’’. Bruce Bonyhady, who … Continued
Hundreds of Victorians with a disability will get access to tailored support in the May state budget, as the Napthine government moves to tackle the growing backlog of people waiting for assistance. About $190 million will be spent over the next four years in a bid to improve services and reduce the disability waiting list, … Continued
“Every Australian counts” is the catchcry that has united the disability sector, galvanised the nation to support an increase in the Medicare levy and won multi-partisan political support for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. For the first 30 years of my life, I mistakenly thought “every Australian counts” was a statement of fact. But from … Continued
The Victorian Coalition Government is enhancing advocacy and leadership opportunities for people with a disability, with additional funding for the Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) announced today by the Minister for Disability Services and Reform Mary Wooldridge. Ms Wooldridge said the Coalition Government will invest an additional $43,000 annually in the SARU as part of … Continued
When National Relay Service customers contact banks and other financial institutions, many of those organisations have been unclear how much personal and confidential information (account numbers or financial and identification details) can be discussed over the phone in the presence of a relay officer. Sometimes calls have been terminated by the financial institution on the … Continued
A Melbourne man who raped an 86-year-old woman and an intellectually disabled woman has been sentenced to at least 11 years in jail. John Edward Szabo, 36, of Mooroolbark, pleaded guilty to 10 charges including counts of rape and indecency in front of a child. Victorian County Court Judge Elizabeth Gaynor said Szabo’s “unusual frankness” … Continued