Senator Jan McLucas, Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers announced today that she was confident all States and Territories would provide dollar for dollar matching on a Rudd Labor Government offer of growth funding for disability services.

A Rudd Labor Government would reallocate $962 million in funding for supported accommodation, respite and in home support, as growth funding under the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement, provided the States agreed to match these funds on a dollar for dollar basis.

This approach will increase spending on disability services by $1.9 billion over the next five years.

Federal Labor has held discussions with all States and Territories and received support for its plan. A Federal Labor Government believes that cooperation with States and Territories is the most constructive way to tackle underfunding in disability services.

The Coalition has refused to commit to continuing with the CSTDA if they are returned to government. If the CSTDA does not continue, States and Territories will be forced to withdraw funding for critical services for people with a disability.

Labor’s approach will see funding for disability services increase by $2.9 billion since the last Federal budget.

Increased recurrent funding includes:

• Funding for new services under the CSTDA – cost shared with States $1.9 billion
• $1000 payments for families with children with a disability $721 million
• Funding for Commonwealth only programs including employment $117 million
• Services for children with autism $190 million

Labor will also provide capital funding for 6 new early intervention and long day care services for children with autism.

A Rudd Labor Government will also provide a $500 utilities allowance, paid quarterly, for people receiving the carers payment and the disability support pension. Labor will also increase the telephone allowance by 50% for people with disabilities and carers.

Labor has also announced a major reform agenda for disability services. Labor’s plan includes reform of the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement and the development of a National Disability Strategy. Visit: http://www.alp.org.au/media/1007/msdisc300.php

The Coalition is yet to release a policy on disability and carers.