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Government looking to punish disability sector after losing in court
The proposal by Tony Ryall to fund the cost of family carers for disabled people by taking money from the rest of the
disability sector is alarming those who work in the sector.
“Suggesting that funding could be cut from disability support to pay for family carers is an attempt to divide the
sector and calls in to question the Government’s commitment to disability support,” says National Secretary Richard
Wagstaff.
“Our members working in disability support tell us that the whole sector is under resourced. The Minister Tony Ryall
should be well aware that any move to reduce funding further will have a very negative impact.”
The Government decided not to appeal against the court’s decision that the current policy of not paying family carers is
discriminatory and now has to find a way to pay them.
“Family carers have been through a long legal battle to get fair recognition for their work. The Government should not
now punish the sector because it lost in the courts.
“This is a legitimate new area of Government expenditure. The Government should looks at the other areas of spending –
such as roads and rebates under the emissions trading scheme – instead of plundering the already inadequate disability
budget,” says National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.
A consultation process begins on today and ends on 6 November. Submissions can be made online at
www.surveymonkey.com/s/familycarersconsult
ends