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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 11 Hansard (26 September) . . Page.. 3684 ..

It is interesting to note Mr Speaker, that since 1993 the number of Individual Support Packages made available has increased from 11 to 62.

The Government was pleased to provide in last years budget growth funding for the Individual Support Package program of $450 000.

Total annual expenditure under this program now amounts to more than $1.7million.

It is worth noting too that in the recent report on the review of the Commonwealth State Disability Agreement the ACT's Individual Support program was identified as a possible national funding model for people with disabilities.

Finally, the recent move to a purchaser/provider structure for ACT Health and Community Care has provided a framework for the business of the Disability Program.

Community Care is now free to concentrate on the efficient delivery of quality services, while the Department of Health and Community Care continues to develop broad policy, makes purchasing decisions and manages the purchasing processes.

The separation of these roles, Mr Speaker, will assist in the achievement of quality and value for money service.

A Purchasing Contract with the Department of Health and Community Care has been developed for 1996/97.

This Contract outlines respective roles, specifies outputs to be produced and identifies initial quality requirements.

The progress I have outlined so far has been achieved through the hard work of many people.

Management and staff, clients and their families and advocates. union representatives, other service providers and interested members of the general community have all demonstrated their commitment to services for people with disabilities, through a thoughtful and cooperative approach to the reform process.

However, it is now important that this momentum continues. Those who are involved with the Disability Program will acknowledge that there is much work yet to do and some serious issues to address.

As we all know the needs of people change over time. It is critical that services for people with disabilities are flexible and focus on their needs as they evolve.

It is for this reason that shortly, the Chief Executive Officer of ACT Community Care will be releasing for consultation a three year Strategic Directions Plan which will guide further reform in the Disability Program.

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