General comments
Advocacy for Inclusion acknowledges and welcomes the Budget released by the Barr Government today. There are measures which we welcome as they progress priorities ACT disability organisations have marked out in our shared Budget work. However, there are also significant gaps and work areas ahead, most tellingly, any plausible path to a new ACT system of disability ‘foundational supports
We are concerned that there appears to be no provision for the new system of Foundational Supports recommended following the NDIS Review nor discrete funding for the response to the Disability Royal Commission. Instead, we have a Disability Reform Taskforce which will be focussed on funding officials to do the design work, and which will be funded from the other Disability Strategies. This is important work, but many services are under pressure now and relief cannot wait.
We also have a problematic Federal NDIS Amendment Act before the Senate, which risks pushing people off the scheme and narrowing available supports. We need ACT supports available lest people wind up in acute systems like homelessness, prison, or the hospital.
We continue to seek money for consolidated and integrated case management services for people with disability in the ACT covering CYPS, housing, justice and post-acute health care.
We welcome a focus on parents and families within the Next Steps for Our Kids strategy and hope it includes the practical measures recommended by AFI and others.
We welcome a range of measures in ACT Health and Canberra Health Services especially the new multidisciplinary rehabilitation and disability support services and disability to access care closer to home. We also welcome additional funding for the University of Canberra Hospital. Expansion and infrastructure work to improve access at Canberra Hospitals campus is highly welcome. We would have liked to have seen some dedicated funding to respond to unintended consequences from Voluntary Assisted Dying
Although there is a detailed breakdown of money for violence and sexual assault services from the Safer Families Levy, we could not locate money to develop the ACT Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Strategy, given it is marked for development in this financial year.
A focus on cost of living in this Budget is welcome as to many people with disability face high costs of living with low incomes while grappling with the costs of disability such as additional expenses in heating and cooling. The Taxi Subsidy Scheme increases are welcome, although we would like to see more relief directed towards passengers rather than drivers.
We welcome this budget’s focus on equitable enrolment in our schools, but we would have liked to see specific money to deliver the Inclusive Education Strategy. We hope that investments are targeted towards improving the access and resourcing needed by students in mainstream schools.
Housing maintenance and repairs are overdue investments given the number of people with disability in poorly maintained public housing which has become inaccessible. It will be important that these are delivered in a timely way – outside of any changes to insourcing policy.
The investments in justice are welcome – we continue to advocate for other reforms including work to minimise the over representation of people with disability in the justice system and support people to maximise financial independence and a review of fees and charges applied by public trustees.
On the municipal side, we would be keen to know whether the Budget investments in improvements to building certification, planning, heritage arrangements and in housing access, choice and accountability will include a focus on accessibility and universal design as recommended in our ongoing advocacy.
On transport, we would like to see policy work and investments which address transport equity and disadvantage including cost of living assistance beyond point to point transport. We need to see all buses accessible, a more diverse wheelchair taxi fleet, regulation of rideshare and micromobility devices, improvements to transport hubs and our streets alongside transport policy and planning work which addresses rapidly changing modes of transports alongside rapid urban development.
We will be working to understand the many Budget measures over the coming days and to monitor implementation. Our shared work will also continue between now and October as we highlight investment and policy priorities with candidates in the coming ACT election.
Issued by: Advocacy for Inclusion Policy Team.
We also acknowledge our DPO and DRO partners including Women with Disabilities ACT, ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability and the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT.
The Big Picture
The Government says this Budget is about
- More health services
- Targeted cost of living relief
- Investments in housing choice, access and affordability
- Building the infrastructure our growing city needs
Signature measures include
- a new, one-off $250 cost of living payment to support local apprentices and trainees.
- expanding the Future of Education Equity Fund, with an additional $1m
- an increase to the Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate. The payment will be increased to $800 per year, helping these households with their home energy costs
- $57.6 million in new funding is being invested to expand paediatric inpatient care and community-based paediatric services. This includes funding for a new paediatric critical care team and a new location for community-based paediatric services.
- A broader cost-of-living package
· Highlights for people with disability, low income and vulnerable Canberrans
· ACT Health and Canberra Health Services (Carla)
- $52,81,000 over 4 years for new multi-disciplinary health centres in North Gungahlin and the Inner South and to undertake design work for the health centre in West Belconnen
- $520,000 over 1 year better care for our community – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health initiatives
- $1.910 million over four years for enhanced support to people facing mental health distress and a community based crisis response 0 over 4 years offset by previous budget
- $650,000 over 2 years for Housing for Vulnerable People funded offset by previous budget
- $341,000 in 2024-25 for continuing the expanded Detention Exit Community Outreach Program
- The Budget includes ongoing delivery of youth mental health services as an offset measure
- $4,209,000 over 4 years for ongoing support for the second PACER team
- $7,444,000 over 2 years for the administration of Voluntary Assisted Dying (but this does not include the measures sought by AFI including a support fund and suicide prevention work)
- $18,300 000 over 4 years for works for the new Northside Hospital and enhancing health infrastructure at North Canberra Hospital
- $1,577, 000 over 4 years for planning the next stages of the Canberra Hospital Expansion (accessible entrance)
- $966,000 over 4 years to Upgrading and enhancing health infrastructure at Canberra Hospital
- $24,886, 000 over 4 years Expanding paediatric services at Canberra Hospital and in the community -supporting multidisciplinary rehabilitation and disability support services for children with chronic and complex conditions to access care closer to home; and establishment of a community-based service in Molonglo for children at risk of delayed development and chronic health conditions.
- $8,832,000 over 4 years to support the safety of cognitively impaired patients and staff
- $12,858,000 over 1 year supporting inpatient rehabilitation at University of Canberra Hospital
- $586,000 over 4 years to continue the Children and Young people Equipment Loan scheme
AFI says “We welcome a range of measures in ACT Health and Canberra Health Services especially the new multidisciplinary rehabilitation and disability support services and disability to access care closer to home. We also welcome additional funding for the University of Canberra Hospital. Expansion and infrastructure work to improve access at Canberra Hospitals campus is highly welcome. We would have liked to have seen some dedicated funding to respond to unintended consequences from Voluntary Assisted Dying“
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
- $10,600,000 over 4 years for the Affordable Housing Project Fund 2024-25
- Improving the energy efficiency of Canberra’s public housing – the cost of the initiative is offset
- $516,000 over 1 year for Support for Vulnerable Canberrans
- $257,000 over 1 year for Energy Bill Relief
- $5,784,000 over 4 years to expand concessions and the Taxi Subsidy Scheme
This includes an increase in the lift fee from $15.20 to $25 per trip while the maximum TSS subsidy cap per taxi trip will increase by 3.25 per cent in 2024-25 and be indexed annually in line with legislated taxi fare increases.
$2,640,000 over 1 year for Targeted Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate
AFI says: “A focus on cost of living in this Budget is welcome as to many people with disability face high costs of living with low incomes while grappling with the costs of disability such as additional expenses in heating and cooling. The Taxi Subsidy Scheme increases are welcome although we would like to see more relief directed towards passengers rather than drivers”
Community Services Directorate
- $300,000 over four years to build capacity and capability of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
- $586,000 over 4 years for the continuation of the Children and Young People Equipment Loan Scheme (CAYPELS)
- $913,000 over four years for emergency material, financial aid and food relief
- $3,552,000 for the ACT Disability Strategy over 4 years (ramping up to over $1m p.a in years 3 and 4)
- The Budget contains an item establishing a Disability Reform Taskforce to respond to the NDIS review and DRC
- $1.755m over four years to establish an External Merits Review mechanism of Child Protection Decisions
- $380,000 (all in year one) funding to Victim Support ACT and the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre to improve support for victim-survivors of sexual assault plus $2,593,000 for supporting frontline responses to sexual violence
- $7,415,000 over four years for Safer Families – Investing in frontline domestic and family violence services
- The $7,989 million Next Steps for Our Kids strategy includes support for parents and families with disability – work to support parents with a disability is welcome
- $375,000 all in year one for a Coercive Control Response Package
- $233,000 to train health staff responding to family violence
- There is a measure continuing the Growth and Renewal of Public Housing and Social Housing Accelerator (funding is not outlined)
- There is a measure Establishing a Public Housing repairs and maintenance insourcing taskforce – funded as offset
- $51,163,000 for Public Housing Repairs and Maintenance
- $2,487,000 over four years of more funding for Homelessness Services and Program –
AFI says “Housing maintenance and repairs are overdue investments given the number of people with disability in poorly maintained public housing which has become inaccessible.
We are concerned that there appears to be no provision for the new system of Foundational Supports recommended following the NDIS Review nor discrete funding for the response to the Disability Royal Commission. Instead we have a Disability Reform Taskforce which will be focussed on funding officials to do the design work – many services are under pressure now and relief cannot wait. We also have an NDIS Act on the table which risks pushing people off the scheme and narrowing available supports. We need these available lest people wind up in acute systems like homelessness, the prison or the hospital“
Education Directorate
- $2,821,000 over four years to funding equitable enrolment to support more students with additional needs in ACT public schools. Support will be targeted at students with disability, students with lower socio-economic status, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This initiative builds on the Government’s commitment to support students with disability and complex health needs in ACT public schools.
- Future of Education Equity Fund – Cost of Living Relief $1000,000 over 1 year
- Investing in public education – Continuation of Meals in Schools 1,871, 000 over 1 year
AFI Says “We welcome a focus on equitable enrolment but we would have liked to see specific money to deliver the Inclusive Education Strategy. We hope that investments are targeted towards improving access and resourcing needed by students in mainstream schools “
Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
$1,508,000 over four years to strengthen bushfire safety risk reduction and response capabilities
$200,000 (all in year one) for a food strategy
$1,001,000 over four years to reform the Heritage System –
$202,000 over four years to improve the Building Certification system
$2,312,000 over four years to improving Visitor Experience at Tidbinbilla and Canberra Nature Parks
There are two housing measures listed as zero funds/offsets in EPSD re housing to increase housing access, choice and affordability.
$2,000,000 listed as an offset for the Integrated Energy Plan – Vulnerable Household Electrification Programs which will provide energy efficiency and electrification upgrades for up to 350 eligible households
AFI says “We would be keen to know whether the Budget investments in improvements to Building certification, planning, heritage arrangements and in housing access, choice and accountability will include a focus on accessibility and universal design as reccomended in our ongoing advocacy“
Justice and Community Safety Directorate
- $317, 000 over 2 years for the Disability Justice Strategy for DLO’s Disability Liaison Officers within the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Aboriginal Legal Services and Victim Support ACT
- $2,714,000 over two years for CLCs
- $791,000 over 4 years to support expanded HRC functions
- $274,000 over (1?) year for continuation and expansion of the Justice Housing Program
- $3,617,000 over 3 years for Reducing over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the ACT Criminal Justice System
- $815,000 over 1 year for Rent Relief Fund Extension
- $682,000 in 2024-25 to support the operation of the Care and Protection Intensive List within the ACT Children’s Court.
- $200,000 in 2024-25 for developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to measure program success in reducing recidivism.
- $686,000 over four years for additional resources to address the current waitlist for restorative justice services and improve legislative record-keeping and reporting requirements.
AFI says: “the investments in justice are welcome – we continue to advocate for other reforms including work to minimise the presence of people with disability in the justice system and support people to maximise financial independence and a review of fees and charges applied by public trustees “
Major Projects Canberra
- $6,206,000 for cladding in private buildings
- $1,590,00 for a new community centre for Woden
- There is a measure for community facility improvements (funding is unclear)
AFI says “we welcome a focus on community facilities upgrades and will be watching closely to ensure that these prioritise and adequately fund accessibility”
Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate
- The Budget includes a Fare free period to support MyWay+ transition
- There is funding of $1,438 million this year to continue weekday flexible public transport services to support accessible transport needs and ensure services are maintained while the Government completes a trial for a new online booking and management system to deliver an improved, on-demand service model
AFI says“We would like to see policy work and investments which address transport equity and disadvantage including beyond point to point transport. We need to see all buses accessible, a more diverse wheelchair taxi fleet, regulation of rideshare and micromobility devices, improvements to transport hubs and our streets alongside transport policy and planning work which addresses rapidly changing modes of transports alongside rapid urban development“
Specific measures for people with disability
- $3,552,000 for the ACT Disability Strategy over 4 years (ramping up to over $1m p.a in years 3 and 4)
- $24,886,000 package of paediatric services including supporting multidisciplinary rehabilitation and disability support services for children with chronic and complex conditions to access care closer to home
- $2,821,000 over four years to funding on equitable enrolment – we look forward to more detail and hope this will result in more enrolments in mainstream schools
- $2.767 million over four years to improve mental health outcomes for people with high-intensity mental health support needs, including community-based programs
- The Budget contains an item establishing a Disability Reform task force to respond to the NDIS review, but we have questions about how this is funded and arranged
- $317,000 over 2 years for the Disability Justice Strategy to continue the Disability Liaison Officers within the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Aboriginal Legal Services and Victim Support ACT
- A $7,989 million Next Steps for Our Kids strategy includes support for parents and families with disability – work to support parents with a disability is welcome
- Additional subsidies under the ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme (lift fee, a small increase in the subsidy cap and indexation)
- An expansion of the Severe Disability Duty Exemption, relating to home ownership, to commence from 1 July 2025
Measures we have questions or concerns about
- How will the education enrolment work link to the delivery of the ACT inclusive education strategy
- What will the disability elements of the Next Steps for Our Kids investment be?
- How much of the Disability Health Strategy will be spent in community vs in house? Why is the Disability Health Strategy not in the Outlook?
- We have queries about the Disability Reform Taskforce will operate, be scaled and be whole of Government and why it is being funded out of the Disability Strategies which have their own discrete priorities. What is the contribution of the Federal Government given this is being driven by shared intergovernmental reform priorities?
- To what extent will the Housing affordability and access measures will improve universal design
- We’re unclear about the extent to which measures in ESPDD around planning, housing, heritage or access to Tidbinbilla will prioritise disability access
- While we welcome the community facilities measure we’d be keen to know why the Outlook lists it as cost neutral
- We would appreciate more information on the severe disability duty exemption for Housing including who is eligible and how this is targeted
- We’d be keen to know how the ACT Neurodiversity Strategy will be scaled and funded within the ACT Disability Strategy
- What does the flexible inclusive transport funding cover and why is it only for one year?
- While we welcome the increases to the TSS we would have preferred more of the increase to go towards subsidising the costs borne by passengers rather than a further large increase in the lift fee
What’s missing
- Any sign of significant new money for the design and realisation of the new Foundational Support system or to respond to the needs of people who might be made ineligible or lose access to some supports through the new NDIS Act
- Although there is money for equitable enrolment, we could not locate dedicated money for the delivery of the Inclusive Education Strategy First Action Plan. We sought significant and timely increases in student loadings, teacher workload issues and extensive infrastructure investments to improve our poor record of inclusion in mainstream schools.
- We continue to seek money for consolidated and integrated case management services for people with disability in the ACT, covering CYPS, housing, justice and post-acute health care.
- Although there is a detailed breakdown of money for violence and sexual assault services from the Safer Families Levy, we could not locate money to develop the ACT Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Strategy given it is marked for development in this financial year
- While there is money for social and affordable housing, we were disappointed there is limited money directly targeted for gold standard accessible housing
- An ambitious focus on increasing non-government universal housing supply
- There is no money for the additional supports and suicide prevention work the disability community sought around the introduction of Voluntary Assisted Dying
This is a preliminary analysis only and AFI and our colleague organisations will continue work and analysis on the Budget over the coming days. We will also be going evidence at the community day hearings of the ACT Budget Estimates committee on 22 July.
** ACT BUDGET BRIEFING – TOMORROW AT 1PM**:
Want to hear more? Join our one hour briefing for the ACT disability sector from 1.00pm tomorrow (Wednesday 26 June 2024) from 1pm here:
Authorised by Craig Wallace for Advocacy for Inclusion