Page 167 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 10 February 2016
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As I said previously, the Canberra Liberals have committed that for the foreseeable future we will continue the funding as it currently stands if we are elected to government. But we will also be working with Radio Print Handicapped to help it to find and identify other sources of funding. As is the case with all of these ventures, they need to be flexible and be able to appeal to philanthropic organisations to continue their work. Radio Print Handicapped, 1RPH, does this already, and it does receive private donations from time to time. Remembering that this is a 1½-professional person outfit, it is very hard for small organisations like this to devote large amounts of time on grant applications and seeking funding elsewhere when their business is actually putting radio programs to air.
This is an important matter, and I call on the Assembly to support my motion, so that we recognise the great work being done by Radio Print Handicapped and continue to ensure that they are funded adequately beyond 30 June this year. I commend my motion to the Assembly.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Disability, Minister for Small Business and the Arts and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (3.46): I start by thanking Mrs Dunne for bringing this motion forward today and for highlighting the good work done by Radio 1RPH over a 30-year period. Indeed I was delighted to join in 1RPH’s 30th anniversary celebrations on 20 June last year.
I state from the outset that this government will continue to work with Radio 1RPH to secure its financial future. But for the benefit of the Assembly I would like to take a few moments to explain the background to this matter.
The national disability insurance scheme, which began in the ACT in July 2014, is transforming the way people with disability receive their supports. By 2019-20 the ACT government will be providing $167 million through the NDIS, a major investment in people with disability, their carers and the community sector. The NDIS is working with people to identify the supports they need to live their life and achieve their goals, such as independence, involvement in the community, education and employment. The scheme gives people with disability, their families and their carers greater choice and control over how, when and where their supports are provided.
To meet this government’s financial contribution for the delivery of the NDIS for ACT residents, all disability program funding, such as that received by Radio 1RPH, is being transferred to the commonwealth. As part of these new arrangements, an information linkages and capacity-building system known as ILC will connect community and informal supports, along with the mainstream services and individually funded packages. This will enable a holistic response to people with disability, whilst also enabling far greater choice and control for people with disability, their families and carers.
ILC will support people with disability and their families to build the necessary skills, resources and confidence to participate in the community or to access the same kind of programs and services as other people. The NDIA has been given responsibility for and funding to implement the national ILC policy framework, all of which has been endorsed by the Disability Reform Council.
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