"Despair" Expressed at Raymond Terrace NDIS Meeting

BY JARROD MELMETH

Disability Services organisations and NDIS participants have taken part in a roundtable at Raymond Terrace to discuss the privatisation of the NSW Government's disability agency.

NDIS participants and their families raised concerns regarding inadequate funding in supports and services while providers said demand for their services is outstripping their capacity.

Acting Shadow Minister for Disability Services Kate Washington said the discussions shed further light on the complex issues facing the sector.

"There was a lot of frustration, a lot of concern and indeed despair," she said.

The Labor MP believes there's a significant risk of market failure emerging, as providers find it difficult to remain financially viable.

The roundtable comes as the NSW Government holds a Parliamentary Inquiry into the rollout of the NDIS and its impact of local services.

Around 50 people including carers, disabled and non-disabled community members have also rallied in Newcastle's Civic Park today, calling for funding to be restored to the system.

Privatisation Of Disability Services Could Affect The Hunter

BY ARIANA GATTI

The NSW State Government has this week, finalised the move to fully privatise disability services previously available across the State and the Hunter.

The full privatisation will restrict the availability of support services for not only those living with a disability but also for their carers.

The State Government has utilised the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as an excuse to shut down all available government-run disability services, with NSW going through with this move alone.

No other state across the country has followed suit in a move to privatise their disability support, fearing the impact it may have on their populations.

Throughout NSW, including the Hunter area, it is approximated that more than 80% of people living with disabilities will not be eligible for NDIS plans anyway.

NSW Labor has recently secured an inquiry into the execution of the NDIS and the provision of support services, with submissions from individuals and support providers now being actively sought after.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter, Kate Washington, says people are suffering and will continue to feel the pressures from the level of support now available.

"Under the heartless Berejiklian-Barilaro Government, there are no safeguards and there is no safety net. The most vulnerable people in our communities are falling through the cracks and there's no-one to catch them".

"We're seeing early intervention services having to close their doors, along with people with complex and profound disabilities are being evicted from their accommodation. This is a situation that is almost in crisis", she says.

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Group Homes on the Backburner: Labor Asks Why

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

State Labor is pressuring the Berejiklian government to reveal why it has failed to deliver 78 promised group homes to residents in Stockton, Tomaree and Morisset.

In 2015, the government sought a private provider to build the new facilities, which were set to be complete by April this year.

However, construction hasn't even begun yet, and the government is now seeking new tenders, but won't reveal why.

Acting Shadow Minister for Disability Services, Kate Washington claims sources reveal the original contractual terms were impossible to fulfil as the government never provided any funding for the project, instead relying on "vague ongoing funding proposals" to make the build viable.

Whatever the reason, disabled people have been told there's no date known for when they'll move into new residential centres, and Kate Washington says family members are growing increasingly concerned about their loved ones' futures.

"The residents and their families continue to live with deep uncertainty about their futures, and that is just so upsetting and disturbing for them," she said.

"The government's mismanagement of this whole process has been heartless and cruel."

The Stockton Centre. 

Cuts To The NDIS Reversed

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

The state government have today reversed cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), instead announcing a $26 million dollar boost for disability advocacy services.

The money is hoped to improve the transition for people moving into new support arrangments.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Hunter's Community Disability Alliance and comes after 60 Novocastrians gathered in March to secure better services.

Disability Services Minister, Ray Williams says the funding comes in response to community outcry.

"We recognise that NSW is well ahead of the curb and that currently there are 84 thousand people in NSW that are currently accessing the NDIS, but we want to make sure that nobody is left behind."

David Belcher from the Community Disability Alliance Hunter says it's fantastic the government has finally listened to the people. 

"The fact that the state government has finally come to its sense and seen that disability advocacy is important for its community and is something that should be funded into the future is a credit to those involved in the Stand By Me campaign," he says.

"I'm just incredibly happy that these groups support some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in our society will have their funding guaranteed till 2020."