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Community facilities | May 08, 2017

Kealy – Labor refuses to commit to ongoing disability support

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says Labor is refusing to commit to continued support for people living with a disability during the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“After significant pressure from myself and the broader community, the Andrews Labor Government advised the Wimmera Rural Access Worker will be extended for a further 12 months, until 30 June 2018,” Ms Kealy said.

“However, this still leaves a significant gap for disability inclusion support from July 2018 to rollout of the replacement program in late 2019.

“This is a key period for people living with a disability in the Wimmera as we transition to the NDIS and they must not be left abandoned as Daniel Andrews is planning.

“People and their families living with a disability are entitled to an assurance that the State will fund disability inclusion support up to 2019 and Daniel Andrews must ensure this ongoing support”, she said.

The Wimmera Rural Access Worker covers the Hindmarsh, Horsham Rural City, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack Shire Councils, providing critical support to people with a disability and their families to help them actively participate in local community life.

“Currently there are 25 Rural Access Workers across Victoria working with local groups and organisations, businesses and the broader community to strengthen the community’s capacity to provide support to people of all abilities and their families,” Ms Kealy said.

“Daniel Andrews and his Labor Government needs to get serious about their responsibility to people living with a disability and immediately make funding available to ensure the Wimmera’s Rural Access Worker remains until late 2019,” she said.