❓ WA Labor questions the WA government's rejection of the Productivity Commission's draft report on disability care and support, its lack of consultation, and requests a community reference group. The Premier defends WA's existing system and expresses caution about national reforms.
AnsweredQoN 432Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DISABILITY CARE AND SUPPORT — PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION REPORT
WA Labor today welcomes the final report of the Productivity Commission into disability care and support and the Prime Minister’s commitment for a national disability insurance scheme. (1) Why did the Western Australian government reject the draft report of the Productivity Commission on this issue? (2) Why did the WA government not consult people with disabilities before rejecting this report? (3) Will the Premier establish a community reference group of Western Australian people with disabilities, their families and carers to ensure their voices are heard on this important issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT
WA Labor today welcomes the final report of the Productivity Commission into disability care and support and the Prime Minister’s commitment for a national disability insurance scheme. (1) Why did the Western Australian government reject the draft report of the Productivity Commission on this issue? (2) Why did the WA government not consult people with disabilities before rejecting this report? (3) Will the Premier establish a community reference group of Western Australian people with disabilities, their families and carers to ensure their voices are heard on this important issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
(1) Why did the Western Australian government reject the draft report of the Productivity Commission on this issue? (2) Why did the WA government not consult people with disabilities before rejecting this report? (3) Will the Premier establish a community reference group of Western Australian people with disabilities, their families and carers to ensure their voices are heard on this important issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
(2) Why did the WA government not consult people with disabilities before rejecting this report? (3) Will the Premier establish a community reference group of Western Australian people with disabilities, their families and carers to ensure their voices are heard on this important issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
(3) Will the Premier establish a community reference group of Western Australian people with disabilities, their families and carers to ensure their voices are heard on this important issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
(1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
(1) Why did the Western Australian government reject the draft report of the Productivity Commission on this issue? (2) Why did the WA government not consult people with disabilities before rejecting this report? (3) Will the Premier establish a community reference group of Western Australian people with disabilities, their families and carers to ensure their voices are heard on this important issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
(2) Why did the WA government not consult people with disabilities before rejecting this report? (3) Will the Premier establish a community reference group of Western Australian people with disabilities, their families and carers to ensure their voices are heard on this important issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
(3) Will the Premier establish a community reference group of Western Australian people with disabilities, their families and carers to ensure their voices are heard on this important issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
(1)–(3) They are good questions. We need to take some care in so-called national reforms, particularly if we are talking about an area as significant, sensitive and personal to so many people as support services, medical services, accommodation, employment and all that goes with those people with acute disabilities. I am getting a little tired of the commonwealth government announcing national reform, walking into the Council of Australian Governments, putting issues on the table and showing us the draft press release — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member should let me answer the question. I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
I am getting a little tired of that. We have seen one national reform proposal after another collapse in disarray under this Labor government in Canberra. On the question of disability services, there are different systems in different states. Some states have a form of insurance. Is this insurance in the traditional sense of the word? No, it is not. The proposal is basically a consolidation of all funding, commonwealth and state, under — Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr E.S. Ripper : And a doubling of funding. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the answer. The proposal is a consolidation of all funding under the auspices of the commonwealth. I think most parts of Australia recognise that the system in place in this state for supporting people with a disability is the best system of those operating in any Australian state. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s still underfunded. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Members of the opposition do no work, they have no manners and they have no capacity to engage in public debate. Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr P. Papalia : You were on 6PR and you should have been listening to 720. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr P. Papalia : They were talking about the subject and the parents were ringing up. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : A national insurance scheme for those with a disability is not an insurance scheme in the common sense of the word. It is a proposal from the Productivity Commission to look at a major area of need and of public expenditure. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Girrawheen could not even stay quiet during a condolence motion yesterday. I have never seen behaviour like that in the Parliament. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : If members want question time to go for 10 minutes, I will enable that. If they would like question time to go for 45 minutes, that is what I would like to see happen. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Western Australian government is certainly prepared to engage with the commonwealth and other state governments to achieve improved services, improved financial security and lifetime accommodation for people with a disability. I happen to think that this state does it well. That has been the case probably from before but certainly since the establishment of the Disability Services Commission. This state has a very high level of engagement between government and not-for-profit community organisations. I think something like 70 per cent of the state government funding is delivered to people with a disability through the not-for-profit sector—groups such as the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia and all those organisations. That is a good and well-established system. I would be very reticent to simply abandon that on the wing and a prayer of a national scheme. I am not about to expose people with disabilities to that. However, let me also make it clear that if the commonwealth is genuine about improving services for those people with acute disabilities, the state government is certainly prepared to engage in a discussion. For example, if people move interstate, they should have a continuity of service; they should not be advantaged or disadvantaged if they do so. We are prepared to do that in a sensible way. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Midland should stop mumbling. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s why you need a national scheme. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Here they go again. Members of the opposition are always willing to kowtow to their federal colleagues. They never think for themselves. That is why they cannot engage in national debate. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are rabbiting away. Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr R.H. Cook : What about the standards? The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana! Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I repeat: this state government is prepared to engage in a sensible discussion, hopefully cooperative, with the commonwealth, and it must be with other states because disability services are primarily provided by and through state governments. Let us deal first with the level of government and the not-for-profit agencies that actually deal in the sector. Let us start there. Let us not start with an economics-driven Productivity Commission that simply wants to impose on all the nation a one-size-fits-all model. We will do it in a cooperative way and we will progress. I simply say that we are far better to build on what works and what is established, particularly the model in Western Australia, and build on that level of support that has nationally high standards and consistency. Before the opposition simply puts up its hand and goes along with its federal colleagues, it should bear in mind that when we introduce national systems such as might be proposed here, generally we take every system in the country and take it to the lowest level because that is where we get uniform agreement—not at the highest level but at the lowest level. That is the dilemma. We are happy to engage in this debate but we will take it from the principle of helping those with a disability through health and other services. That is where we will come from and that is how we will treat this issue.
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