Skip to main content

Budget Direct

The 2019-2020 Budget has allowed the Coalition to send another direct hit to people with disabilities. 

With the Liberal Government choosing to reallocate between 1.6 and 3 billion dollars that had been earmarked for NDIS it has caused much anxiety within the disability community. 

It is no secret that disability services have been underfunded by at least 30 million dollars per annum for the last two decades and with the government choosing to take away this funding from disability services the gap is only going to get wider. 

The Morrison Government claims that the funding is being reallocated due to the slower than expected roll out of the scheme but if you ask me that is a sign the government should be putting more money into the NDIS and not less.

I have been a recipient of government funded services for the past 36 years however with the NDIS roll out I am experiencing more funding insecurity than ever before. 

Disability services are not like renting a car or taking out house and contents insurance. It is not something that can be handled with a cut price budget. 

People with disabilities are not asking for a blank cheque but we do ask for our government to give us the funding we require to live lives of equal dignity to the rest of our fellow Australian citizens. 

Waiting up to two years for vital pieces of equipment creates a budget direct hit not only for the individuals with the disability but for government funded services that need to support us. 

So to all the politicians in our country please remember to budget for the human cost not just the bottom line. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

More Than Politics

 Every election our vote is about more than politics; it says I am part of this nation and my voice will be heard.  This election is about Team Australia. Which leader has a plan to build Australia's future and who wants to divide us? This election is about more than politics; it is about stable leadership. It is about aiming high, looking forward, and thinking big.  My life has been about disability rights. I am living proof that disability rights is more than politics and this election people with disabilities' votes matter.  If I was American I would die. Medicare is the envy of the world. No less than two American presidents have tried to bring in an Australian Medicare style system. Universal healthcare is a human right.  All leaders have been saying that we live in uncertain times and as a result, thinking about acting in Australia's defence becomes about more than politics. We need to make Australia impenetrable to anyone that wishes to do us harm. We nee...
Post a Comment
Read more

Circle of Life or Circle of Tech

 I have written extensively about how assistive technology helps me be independent. In blog posts such as More Than a Test Drive and Tony Stark's House (an Assistive Technology Dream) . My disability has turned the circle of life into a circle of tech.  Every few years I have to go through the assistive technology merry go round because all of my equipment seems to break down at the same time.  I am in the process of applying for a new hoist and sling, shower commode chair, bed, front door opener, and new abductor cushion.  I also am aware in the not too distant future I will have to attempt to try and get a new wheelchair. Every time I have to apply for a new piece of equipment my therapists and I have to make the case as to why that particular piece of equipment is 'reasonable and necessary'.  The frustrating thing about this is, even though it might be clear that I need a piece of equipment, one or two words in the funding form can make a difference on wheth...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Philosopher Actor

 Centuries ago there was an ideal philosophical concept known as the Philosopher King . The idea being to be a great ruler you should be a philosopher because philosophy leads you to the best life where you are courageous, moderate, just, and wise.  I have modified this concept as my new approach to life instead of becoming a Philosopher King I aim to be a Philosopher Actor. It is said by the ancients that the aim of philosophy is to lead a good life. My good life is to be a good husband, man, and actor.  I recently have been doing a deep dive into Uta Hagen's books:  A Challenge for the Actor , and Respect for Acting . She advocates for an almost monk like discipline towards the arts and the acting craft.  I have always felt this level of commitment to my acting but I didn't want to be considered too extreme but after reading Uta's books I feel I have permission to do so. I have also been reacquainting myself with the philosophy of Schopenhauer and the Taoists....
Post a Comment
Read more