ACT Labor commits $6.7 million to strengthen support for people with a disability

ACT Labor has today announced that it will commit to increasing disability services funding by an extra $6.7 million over four years if re-elected in October.

In making the commitment today, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and Deputy Chief

Minister and Minister for Disability and Community Services Katy Gallagher said that the

ACT Labor Government had invested heavily in extra support funding since coming to Government.

“This additional funding will ensure that as a government, and as a community, we continue to respond to the ever‐increasing need for additional support for people with a disability, their families and carers” Mr Stanhope said today.

“Today we are announcing a further $6.7 million increase to support those people living in our community who have a disability.” Mr Stanhope said.

This package includes:

• $3.6 million over four years for increased funding to Therapy ACT;

• $1.9 million over four years for new playgroups at Therapy ACT;

• $400,000 over four years to introduce a Carers Companion Card;

• An additional $200,000 per annum to establish a Flexible Support fund; and

• Continuing to focus on meeting the unmet need in the community.

Ms Gallagher said that the government had already made significant inroads in disability services by providing extra funding in recent years but she acknowledged that there was still more to be done.

“We know that there is always more that can be done and these initiatives announced today will focus on children who require therapy services. This funding will provide increased access to therapy playgroups and will employ eight new speech therapists to meet the increasing demand for speech therapy for young, pre-schooled aged children” Ms Gallagher said.

“ACT Labor will also increase the current annual pool of grants to people with a disability, and to carers, by providing an additional $200,000 per annum to create a new flexible support fund of $500,000 per annum.

 “The idea is that the fund is flexible enough to meet the varying needs of people with a disability and carers. Eligible applications could include support, respite, counselling, recreation opportunities, community access, vocational education and skills training, research or policy development for carers, and equipment to improve the quality of life for people with a disability or a carer.” Ms Gallagher said.

ACT Labor would also introduce a Companion Card for people with a disability and their carers at a cost of $400,000 over four years.

“ACT Labor will join the three states that have already introduced a scheme of this kind to create a formal arrangement for carers to attend entertainment and recreational venues at a reduced cost or free of charge,” Ms Gallagher said.

“ACT Labor believes that a companion card is a low cost initiative that encourages the inclusion of people with a disability and supports community and business leaders to drive positive change for all members of our community.

“These new initiatives build on the significant work that ACT Labor has already done since 2001 as we strive to continually improve access to services and support that allows people with a disability, their families and carers to participate fully in our community,” Ms Gallagher concluded.