The National’s Melina Bath has called on the Allan Labor Government to act with urgency on the funding impasse between the state and federal governments and private providers impacting independent living supports for people with disabilities.
Transition funding from the Victorian Government was cruelly cut off on 1 January without a resolution, leaving residents in limbo with homes at imminent risk of closure.
The five providers – Aruma, Scope, Life Without Barriers, Melba Support Services and Possability have issued a joint statement last September confirming that funding shortfalls will not allow them to continue current services.
Speaking in state parliament, Ms Bath said independent living homes that care for the state’s most vulnerable located right across Gippsland are impacted by the situation.
“It’s unacceptable that Labor’s Minister for Disability, Lizzie Blandthorn, has refused to intervene despite almost 2000 Victorians with profound disabilities having their supported independent living homes threatened with closure.”
In 2015, the state government announced five organisations would take over Victoria’s former government-run disability group homes as part of the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
NDIS funding left a shortfall in running costs for homes in Victoria, and the state agreed to provide transition funding to fill the gap while the matter was resolved in line with the national framework.
Ms Bath said the Allan Government cannot wipe its hands of this issue and must be part of the solution.
“It’s alarming that the state and federal government have not sorted this out by now, given they have had years to do so.
“The uncertainty for people with disabilities is causing great distress – people with disabilities in eastern Victoria need secure homes and secure futures.”
