Queensland to resubmit disability services funding proposal to Commonwealth

Queensland will continue to press the Commonwealth to negotiate in good faith on funding for disability services.

Queensland’s Minister for Disability Services Warren Pitt said today he would resubmit Queensland’s proposal to the Commonwealth for a bilateral funding agreement.

Mr Pitt said the Commonwealth had abruptly pulled the plug on negotiations with Queensland on the agreement.

Mr Pitt joined State and Territory Ministers responsible for disability services in Sydney today to discuss funding arrangements with the Federal Minister for Families and Community Services Mal Brough.

“Queensland wrote to Mr Brough in late June in response to a Commonwealth offer to provide matching funds for any increased State allocations in specific areas of disability services, such as accommodation and respite services,” Mr Pitt said.

“However, without warning the Federal Government shut the door on those negotiations and proceeded down an altogether different funding path – announcing a $1.8 billion spending program that bypassed the States.

“With the upcoming Federal election, Mr Brough has been preoccupied with trying to position the Federal Government in a politically favourable light.

“In doing so he has deliberately turned his back on the proposed funding increases put forward by Queensland.

“If the Commonwealth persists with its rejection of Queensland's funding submission, it will result in the loss of almost $400 million of matched Commonwealth funds over five years.

“So, clearly, it is vitally important that we get these negotiations back on track.
“Following today’s discussions I will be resubmitting Queensland’s proposal for Mr Brough’s consideration, and I look forward to his positive response.”

Mr Pitt said it was “a bit rich” for Mr Brough to call on the States to follow the Commonwealth’s lead on funding for disability services.

“Even taking into account its recently announced spending program, the Commonwealth still lags behind the States when it comes to funding for disability services,” he said.

“Since the current Commonwealth-State funding agreement started in 2002–03, Queensland’s funding contribution has increased by $350 million, or 146 per cent, to reach $589 million this financial year,” he said.

“Yet during the same six-year period, the Federal Government’s contribution has increased by just $19 million.”

“The divide-and-conquer tactics Mr Brough is employing in his negotiations with the States on a new multilateral funding agreement are not in the best interests of improving services for people with a disability, and will inevitably result in money being wasted on duplication,” Mr Pitt said.

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