ɫ������

Experts back union concerns over NSW Government wiping its hands of disability services

ɫ������Media release:

The Public Service Association (PSA) has attacked the NSW Government for scrapping public disability services, throwing the care of people with disability into free fall.

The union’s long held position was today backed by concerns of the NSW Mental Health Commission that there will only be funding for approximately a quarter of existing mental health services under the NDIS.

This follows last week’s revelation by the Federal Health Department that the number of people with mental health issues expected to access the NDIS had been underestimated by 30,000 – leading to a cost blow out of $1 billion.

“This is the disaster this union has been warning about for some time but despite the mounting evidence, the NSW Government is pushing on regardless,” said ɫ������General Secretary, Stewart Little.

“NSW Minister for Disability Services, Ray Williams is about to preside over the greatest social tragedy NSW has ever seen.”

The fate of tens of thousands of people with disabilities – the most vulnerable in our community – is being handed to non-Government operators who will be focused on profits.

“There is not going to be the money nor the capacity to properly service people with disability under the NDIS,” said Mr Little.

“By June 2018, the NSW Government will have completely stepped out of the disability space leaving NSW as the only state in Australia with no Government safety net.”

“Tens of thousands stand to fall through the cracks, destined to land heavily in the state’s hospitals and even the criminal justice system – areas lacking expertise in specialist disability care.”