Page 2369 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 12 August 2014
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Ricky Stuart Foundation to deliver this new facility. The new respite facility is part of a more comprehensive restructure of respite services in the ACT that has been undertaken to ensure the disability sector is ready for the NDIS.
Earlier this year new providers were announced for respite services previously operated by the government, and the aim here is to provide greater choice for people with a disability who visit respite centres. The government is committed to making the NDIS a success in the ACT and is the first jurisdiction that will see all eligible residents enter the scheme within two years. This really is a chance for us as a government to change the lives of people.
I would hope that at one point the shadow minister, Mr Wall, actually understands that he would serve this community far better if he did not come in here and raise concerns around funding, such as the providers have only just realised there will be continuance of funding, when this has always been the case. Providers have been in regular conversation with Disability ACT. Contracts have been renewed and transition arrangements are in place for direct contract providers but also for those organisations that sit in a term that is referred to as a T2. I understand there are about 18 organisations, including Autism Asperger ACT, whose case management funding will continue into next year.
One of the interesting things about Andrew Wall—and I looked forward actually to the estimates hearing on Education and Training because on the morning of that estimates hearing Andrew Wall got very antsy and put out—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Ms Burch! Could I ask you to conform with the formal practice of this place and refer to people by their titles; therefore, Mr Wall or the member for Brindabella.
MS BURCH: Not the shadow minister for disability?
MADAM SPEAKER: Or the shadow minister but not by his Christian name.
MS BURCH: I do apologise.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you.
MS BURCH: The shadow minister for disability put out a tweet that he was looking forward to estimates that day because he was coming down to ask me the hard questions and to finally get some answers. When Mr Wall did turn up to education estimates he turned up late and did not ask a single question on early intervention. Given that that was his focus of that week, I find it disingenuous that he would advocate being a champion as he actually falls flat at every opportunity. He also is demonstrating to be a true believer of the saying that if you say something often enough it must be true, but nothing about what he said was correct.
We have worked consistently and productively with service providers. We are working with our community on the preparation for the NDIS, and Mr Wall would give a better service to those he is representing by actually supporting the NDIS and seeking proper advice at the proper times so that he can have an informed view.
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