Budget cuts to disability services not the answer

The situation for people living with disabilities in Australia was already dire and budget cuts, as suggested today by Business Council President Graham Bradley, would only lead to further turmoil, according to Spinal Injuries Association Chief Executive Officer Mark Henley.

Mr Bradley’s statement that disability services was one of the big budget items that could be decreased as an alternative to the flood levy is sure to be met with frustration by the 1.4 million Australians who have a serious disability, as well as the people who support them.

Mr Henley said that while Mr Bradley was correct in stating that it was in people’s best interests to get back to work, there needed to be sufficient supports and services in place to enable people to be employed in the first place.

“There’s no doubt that working is good for a person’s state of mind, not to mention the benefits to the economy,” Mr Henley said.

“But if a person with a disability does not receive adequate support in the first place to even be able to physically leave their home or to access a workplace, then there is always going to be the issue of people slipping through the gap and having to stay on a disability pension.”

Mr Henley said disability support pensions should be just that – to support people to fund the many additional costs of living with a disability.

“The pension is by no means an extra bonus that allows people to live a life of luxury,” he said.

“It funds practical, everyday items that people with disabilities need like aids, equipment, transport, medications and the like.

“Additional budget cuts to disability services, which are already stretched to the limit, will only put people with disabilities in further crisis and inhibit their ability to return to work even more.

“The Productivity Commission is currently investigating a National Disability Insurance Scheme. This is the real answer for how best to support people with a disability including getting them back into the workforce.”

Issued 14 February.