❓ Mr Board questions the Minister for Disability Services about a funding shortfall for disability accommodation, citing a government report. The Minister acknowledges the issue but avoids committing to specific funding increases, citing the ongoing budget process and Commonwealth funding cuts.
AnsweredQoN 839Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the Government-commissioned report “Identifying the Need”, which found that disability accommodation funding of $2.67 million in 2001-02 is only enough to meet the needs of about one in nine people who apply. (1) Given that the report estimated that at least $11.9 million in additional funding is required to meet critical need in disability accommodation, will the minister commit to increasing funding to this sector? (2) Given that, according to the report, the problem is snowballing from year to year, what action will the minister take to stop this crisis deepening? Ms McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
(1) Given that the report estimated that at least $11.9 million in additional funding is required to meet critical need in disability accommodation, will the minister commit to increasing funding to this sector? (2) Given that, according to the report, the problem is snowballing from year to year, what action will the minister take to stop this crisis deepening? Ms McHALE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
(2) Given that, according to the report, the problem is snowballing from year to year, what action will the minister take to stop this crisis deepening? Ms McHALE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Ms McHALE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
(1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
(1) Given that the report estimated that at least $11.9 million in additional funding is required to meet critical need in disability accommodation, will the minister commit to increasing funding to this sector? (2) Given that, according to the report, the problem is snowballing from year to year, what action will the minister take to stop this crisis deepening? Ms McHALE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
(2) Given that, according to the report, the problem is snowballing from year to year, what action will the minister take to stop this crisis deepening? Ms McHALE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Ms McHALE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
(1)-(2) I would like to make it very clear that the figures relate to applications, not applicants. While the figures paint the picture that demand is outstripping supply, the number of applicants is actually lower than indicated in that report. I said yesterday, and I have said at every possible opportunity in this Chamber, that this Government continues to increase funding available for people with disabilities. That is illustrated by the forward estimates. The Government is currently going through the budget process, as the member knows, so I am not at liberty to indicate - Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Mr Board: That is why we are raising the issue. Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Ms McHALE: Yes, I know that, and the Opposition keeps saying that it wishes to assist, which is good. I will come back to the member on how the Opposition can assist. This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
This Government stands on its record of making progress in the field of disability services. It delivered real growth in last year’s budget, and there will be real growth in this year’s budget, for people seeking accommodation support. As the member for Murdoch fully knows, having been a minister in a previous Government, he will have to wait until this budget is fully determined and ready to be released to the House. Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Mr Day: When will that be? Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Ms McHALE: On budget day. I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
I also articulated yesterday, as did the Treasurer, the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s funding. I ask all members of this House to lobby the Commonwealth Government, as I will be doing, because the cuts in that funding that have now been made transparent will affect services like respite care throughout this State. The Government is making progress, and will continue to meet the need, but if the Opposition continues to say that it is only a state responsibility, it is very wrong.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.