Abbott Government fails to address NDIS housing shortage crisis

The Abbott Government is once again threatening the true intent of the National Disability Insurance Scheme by failing to assure Queensland and the rest of the States and Territories that it would address the issue of the chronic housing shortages for people with disability.

Queensland Disability Services Minister Coralee O'Rourke, who voiced her concerns in Parliament today, said the Commonwealth was again failing to provide clarity and certainty around the amount of capital funding available for housing options for people with disability.

“In NDIS trial sites across Australia it has become evident that there is a housing crisis for people with disability but the Abbott Government is not willing to address this,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

"In what has become a trademark of the Abbott Government, they will not listen and are ignoring what is best for people with disability, the construction industry and the broader community.

"People with disability should have the opportunity to choose to live near their families, friends, amenities and employment opportunities, just like everybody else.  

"Using housing funds in a way that stimulates the economy will have benefits for people with disability and will create jobs and investment in the disability housing sector.”

Minister O’Rourke who attended the Disability Reform Council in Melbourne last month chaired by Minister Mitch Fifield said she was left extremely frustrated that the Abbott Government wouldn’t offer any assurances on this important issue.

"This is despite Minister Fifield acknowledging in a letter to me that lack of access to suitable, stable and affordable housing ranks as one of the biggest challenges for people with disability,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The most frustrating part is that the money is there.  Queenslanders, like all Australians, have been paying the extra Medicare Levy since 1 July 2014. 

“The National Disability Insurance Agency has said numerous times that there is $700 million per year available across the country to spend on housing.

“It’s unbelievable that the Abbott Government won’t use this funding for its intended purpose.”

Minister O'Rourke said that although it was acknowledge by the Chair of the DRC, that COAG had agreed to consider flexible access to the CareAustralia Fund there were no assurances about how Queensland would gain full and fair access to its portion of the Fund.

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to fight for our full and fair share of the fund up front to allow a smooth transition for Queenslanders with disability into the NDIS and we expect the Abbott Government to honour this commitment,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

Minister O'Rourke said she was glad the DRC agreed to her recommendation to bring the finalisation of the Workforce Strategy action forward by three months to 30 June 2015.

"There is a lot of work we all need to do to see a smooth transition to the NDIS and I encourage all states and territories to work multilaterally together to get the best outcome for people with disability, their families, carers and the community,” she said.

“This is the most important social reform in this country since Labor introduced Medicare and we will continue to fight for jobs and better living conditions which is the true intent of the NDIS.”

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                  0417 119 473