‘Victorian Budget ISP Growth, A Great Step Forward For People With Disability and Their Families’, said Matthew Wright, CEO of AFDO and Trevor Carroll, Executive Officer of DJA in a joint statement today.
The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) and Disability Justice Advocacy (DJA) today welcomed the release of the Victorian Government’s Budget, which has committed a much needed boost in funding for people with disability and mental health, ongoing support to fair pay for workers in the social and community services sector and ongoing commitment to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
“Growth in ISP funding finally addresses the chronic shortage of services for people with disability and their families in this state. The Budget also contributes to the rollout and development of the most important social reform of our time, the NDIS. This is very welcome news for Victorians with disability and demonstrates the Victorian Government’s commitment to improving opportunities for people with disability,” said Mr Matthew Wright, AFDO CEO.
Yesterday’s announcement includes additional funding of $151 million over four years for 830 Individualised Support Packages (ISPs) for people with disability, including school leavers and young adults, which will provide greater choice and control for people to purchase the supports they need to live the life they choose. Over $100 million over four years has also been committed to meet increasing demand for mental health services, with a focus on community based care.
“These commitments signal the Victorian Government’s recognition that the NDIS is, rightly, only one part of the puzzle”, said Mr Trevor Carroll, Executive Officer of Disability Justice Advocacy.
“This significant boost could not come at a more critical time. People with disability and their families across Victoria have been desperately waiting for greater support to meet the challenges of daily life. This increase in funding, the biggest since the 2008-09 Budget, provides the difference of living the most basic of existences to being able to access what we all often take for granted”, said Mr Carroll.
“In addition to these commitments, we recognise and welcome the constructive dialogue that is occurring with the disability consumer sector representing the voice of people with disability to address systemic barriers, including the investigation of abuse and neglect. These conversations have been long overdue and are an important step forward to ensure that the voice of people with disability is front and centre of policy development”, Mr Wright said.
Media Contact:
Mr Matthew Wright, AFDO CEO on 0428 608 861
Mr Trevor Carroll, DJA EO on 0418 513 304
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