Published Friday, 30 May, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
National meeting delivers for Queensland: Minister
An historic agreement has been reached between Disability Services Ministers at a meeting in Sydney today.
Queensland’s Disability Services Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said State and Territory Ministers agreed to provide $901 million in funding to support people with a disability, their families and carers across Australia – with an additional $1 billion in new funding pledged from the Commonwealth.
“This breakthrough agreement means Queensland will receive an additional $165 million over four years from 2008-09 to 2011-12, providing a much needed boost for specialist disability services,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“These funds will complement the Queensland Government’s significantly increased investment announced in last year’s State budget, and collectively, will assist up to 4,540 people with a disability, their families and carers.
“It means we can provide an estimated 2,400 extra respite places, 290 individual support packages, 190 accommodation support, and 1,660 in-home support services. These will be provided throughout Queensland, including rural and remote areas.
“Queensland will also receive an additional $18 million in capital funding to build respite and accommodation support facilities for adult sons and daughters of older parent carers.”
Minister Nelson-Carr said she was delighted with the progress of negotiations, adding it was a step in the right direction to enhance the delivery of specialist disability services in Queensland.
“The collaborative work with the Rudd Government provides opportunities for improvements in the areas of advocacy, measurement of unmet need, workforce issues, outcomes for children with autism, and continuing initiatives for younger people with disabilities in residential aged care,” she said.
“I look forward to continuing negotiations on the new national disability services agreement which will come into effect on 1 January 2009.”
Media Contact: Tony Reeves - 0439 781 886
Queensland’s Disability Services Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said State and Territory Ministers agreed to provide $901 million in funding to support people with a disability, their families and carers across Australia – with an additional $1 billion in new funding pledged from the Commonwealth.
“This breakthrough agreement means Queensland will receive an additional $165 million over four years from 2008-09 to 2011-12, providing a much needed boost for specialist disability services,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“These funds will complement the Queensland Government’s significantly increased investment announced in last year’s State budget, and collectively, will assist up to 4,540 people with a disability, their families and carers.
“It means we can provide an estimated 2,400 extra respite places, 290 individual support packages, 190 accommodation support, and 1,660 in-home support services. These will be provided throughout Queensland, including rural and remote areas.
“Queensland will also receive an additional $18 million in capital funding to build respite and accommodation support facilities for adult sons and daughters of older parent carers.”
Minister Nelson-Carr said she was delighted with the progress of negotiations, adding it was a step in the right direction to enhance the delivery of specialist disability services in Queensland.
“The collaborative work with the Rudd Government provides opportunities for improvements in the areas of advocacy, measurement of unmet need, workforce issues, outcomes for children with autism, and continuing initiatives for younger people with disabilities in residential aged care,” she said.
“I look forward to continuing negotiations on the new national disability services agreement which will come into effect on 1 January 2009.”
Media Contact: Tony Reeves - 0439 781 886