MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy has called for more information about the National Disability Insurance Scheme amid fears the region’s disability housing could close under the changes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The scheme will be rolled out in the Wimmera in October 2017
Ms Kealy said government-operated supported residential services could close under the scheme as they would be handed over to private companies.
She said Wimmera families were concerned about what the implications would be for their loved ones.
“There is a lack of understanding about what will happen in the future,” she said.
“People in these houses need more information – will their homes close?
“Will their home go to a private operator who might not continue with the existing staff?”
Ms Kealy said there was a number of Wimmera residents who would be directly affected by the changes.
“We need to safe guard people with disabilities and see more information given to people living in residential services,” she said.
“They don’t know where they are going to live in the future.
“Staff don’t know if they will be made redundant when the homes are handed over to private entities, or if their pay or hours of work will change.
“There is a lot of uncertainty, which is creating anxiety in the sector.”
E.W Tipping chief executive Graeme Kelly said when the scheme was rolled out, the state government would move out of disability services and housing would be handed over to the non-government sector.
E.W Tipping provides disability accommodation in Horsham, Warracknabeal and St Arnaud.
”We’ve been involved with the scheme since day one in 2013,” Mr Kelly said.
“The scheme is rolling out in north-east Melbourne in August and what we have seen is residents in government-supported accommodation will get packages from the National Disability Insurance Agency, which will allow them to continue living in their home, if they chose to,” he said.
“I know a lot of people are concerned they will be worse off, but our experience is that people end up in the same situation or even better off.”
Mr Kelly said the scheme would give people more choice and control of their lives.
He said residents would be able to use the money they get from National Disability Insurance Agency to choose what private provider they want to go with.
“We are keen to continue providing specialist disability housing in regional Victoria in the future,” he said.
Housing, Disability and Ageing Minister Martin Foley said the state government had started a process to identify organisations best placed to provide government-operated disability housing in the future.
“The transfer of services will only occur where the government is satisfied that new providers have the capacity and expertise to deliver quality services to clients,” he said.
“The government will also ensure there are strong and enduring safeguards in place for clients, disruption to continuity of care is minimised and staff are supported in the transfer.
”There will be a range of service options and providers considered in future transfer of services.
“In some areas, and for some clients, the government might need to continue to play a role for a longer period of time.”
