Tasmanian Greens MPs

Amendment

An Amendment to the Question was proposed by the Minister for Disability Services and Community Development by leaving out all words after “Australia” in paragraph (1) and inserting instead:

“…due to our ageing population, with a large proportion aged over 65 years of age.

(2)            Acknowledges that an estimated 10,600 Tasmanians under 65 years of age, will be eligible for individual support plans under the NDIS and that all Tasmanians with disability are eligible to access support and services offered by organisations that are funded through the NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building programs.

(3)            Understands that under the Bilateral Agreement with the Federal Government, that state and territory governments retain responsibility for providing continuity of supports, and mainstream services such as health, education, housing, transport and safety for people with disability. 

(4)            Acknowledges that as per the Agreement signed by the previous Labor-Green Government, from 1 July 2019 the provision of specialist disability services, and ILC type services in Tasmania will be a function of the NDIS and the administrative responsibility of the National Disability Insurance Agency and that the Tasmanian Government invested $878.7 million in the 18-19 budget and forward estimates, towards the Scheme.

(5)            Recognises the critical nature of the work disability services and support organisations provide and that the Government will continue to advocate for and to work closely with Tasmania’s organisations in accessing the new and larger ILC funding streams available through the NDIS.

(6)            Acknowledges the Tasmanian Government’s work in successfully securing ‘bridging’ funding from the Commonwealth to provide additional support to organisations seeking to transition and commission to the new ILC model.”

Original Motion

That the House:—

(1)           Acknowledges that there are 1 in 5 people living with disability in Tasmania, the highest rate of any State in Australia.

(2)           Recognises in Tasmania there are currently over 10,000 people who are eligible for support for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), leaving upwards of 90,000 Tasmanians with disability who are not eligible for NDIS and who rely on services provided by Tasmanian disability support service organisations.

(3)           Understands that under the Bilateral Agreement with the Federal Government, the Hodgman Liberal Government has a clear and undeniable responsibility to provide services for Tasmanians living with a disability and who are not eligible for support under the NDIS.

(4)           Notes that State funding contracts for 18 disability service organisations that provide vital services for people living with disability, their families and carers will expire on 30 June 2019, leaving 90,000 Tasmanians without crucial support.

(5)           Further understands the specialist and critical nature of the work of these organisations, which rely on core funding from the State Government, to do this work.

(6)           Calls on the Minister for Disability Services and Community Development, Hon Jacquie Petrusma MP, to commit to continued funding for these 18 disability support organisations in the State’s Budget and provide certainty for people living with disability who rely on these services.