Opposition asks about the cost impact of the Labor government's industrial relations policies on the disability sector. The government states precise figures are unavailable, the internal budget was cost-neutral, and no specific funding was allocated, but the Commission will work with agencies facing cost pressures.

AnsweredQoN 1365Legislative Council
Asked
17 October 2003
Portfolio
Disability Services

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What will be the total annual cost to the disability sector of the Labor Government’s industrial relations policies, including the abolition of workplace agreements, in terms of cost increases to - (a) the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget; and (b) DSC-funded agencies’ costs? (2) If the precise answer to (1) above is not available, what is the estimated annual cost that the Government is using in its planning? (3) Has the Government made provision to fund this cost and, if so, what provision has been made? (4) If the Government has not made provision to cover this cost with supplementary funding, what other adjustments have been or will be made to administration, service provision or agency funding? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) (a) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget is not available. (b) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s funded external providers is not available. (2) (a) The change from workplace agreements to the enterprise bargaining agreement was cost neutral for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget. (b) I am advised that, as Disability Services Commission-funded agencies are independent, autonomous, external organisations, with an array of industrial arrangements that are confidential to them, it is not possible for the commission to make any valid estimate of cost increases. (3) No. (4) The Disability Services Commission will work with agencies that can demonstrate increased cost pressures due to the reforms to resolve any service issues of concern.
(b) DSC-funded agencies’ costs?
(3) Has the Government made provision to fund this cost and, if so, what provision has been made? (4) If the Government has not made provision to cover this cost with supplementary funding, what other adjustments have been or will be made to administration, service provision or agency funding? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) (a) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget is not available. (b) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s funded external providers is not available. (2) (a) The change from workplace agreements to the enterprise bargaining agreement was cost neutral for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget. (b) I am advised that, as Disability Services Commission-funded agencies are independent, autonomous, external organisations, with an array of industrial arrangements that are confidential to them, it is not possible for the commission to make any valid estimate of cost increases. (3) No. (4) The Disability Services Commission will work with agencies that can demonstrate increased cost pressures due to the reforms to resolve any service issues of concern.
(4) If the Government has not made provision to cover this cost with supplementary funding, what other adjustments have been or will be made to administration, service provision or agency funding? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) (a) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget is not available. (b) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s funded external providers is not available. (2) (a) The change from workplace agreements to the enterprise bargaining agreement was cost neutral for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget. (b) I am advised that, as Disability Services Commission-funded agencies are independent, autonomous, external organisations, with an array of industrial arrangements that are confidential to them, it is not possible for the commission to make any valid estimate of cost increases. (3) No. (4) The Disability Services Commission will work with agencies that can demonstrate increased cost pressures due to the reforms to resolve any service issues of concern.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) (a) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget is not available. (b) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s funded external providers is not available. (2) (a) The change from workplace agreements to the enterprise bargaining agreement was cost neutral for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget. (b) I am advised that, as Disability Services Commission-funded agencies are independent, autonomous, external organisations, with an array of industrial arrangements that are confidential to them, it is not possible for the commission to make any valid estimate of cost increases. (3) No. (4) The Disability Services Commission will work with agencies that can demonstrate increased cost pressures due to the reforms to resolve any service issues of concern.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) (a) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget is not available. (b) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s funded external providers is not available. (2) (a) The change from workplace agreements to the enterprise bargaining agreement was cost neutral for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget. (b) I am advised that, as Disability Services Commission-funded agencies are independent, autonomous, external organisations, with an array of industrial arrangements that are confidential to them, it is not possible for the commission to make any valid estimate of cost increases. (3) No. (4) The Disability Services Commission will work with agencies that can demonstrate increased cost pressures due to the reforms to resolve any service issues of concern.
(1) (a) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget is not available. (b) A precise figure for the Disability Services Commission’s funded external providers is not available. (2) (a) The change from workplace agreements to the enterprise bargaining agreement was cost neutral for the Disability Services Commission’s internal budget. (b) I am advised that, as Disability Services Commission-funded agencies are independent, autonomous, external organisations, with an array of industrial arrangements that are confidential to them, it is not possible for the commission to make any valid estimate of cost increases. (3) No. (4) The Disability Services Commission will work with agencies that can demonstrate increased cost pressures due to the reforms to resolve any service issues of concern.
(4) The Disability Services Commission will work with agencies that can demonstrate increased cost pressures due to the reforms to resolve any service issues of concern.

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