Post by Banjo on Aug 2, 2012 4:14:19 GMT 7
Macklin defends low Disability Support Pension cancellation rate
NEW figures reveal that despite more than 12,000 Disability Support Pension medical reviews last financial year, only 135 people on it had their payment cancelled.
But Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin said despite the low cancellation rate, the government's reforms to slow the growth of the ballooning pension had been working.
Since the government's DSP reforms began on July 1, 2010, the rate at which DSP claims are granted has fallen from 63.3 per cent to 42.3 per cent last May, a drop of more than 20 per cent.
The total number of people receiving DSP fell this year for the first time since 2006 from 831,594 in January to 827,512 in May. The number of DSP recipients has reduced every month since January.
Greens disability spokeswoman Rachel Siewert said evidence from the Senate budget estimates process reveals only 1.1 per cent of medical reviews of disability support pensioners resulted in a cancellation of their pension.
"The government has done its best to ensure that access to DSP is extremely difficult and the low level of cancellations reflects that those seeking the Disability Support Pension are in fact in genuine need," Senator Siewert said.
"In light of this low rate of cancellations, it is increasingly clear to me that the government's latest approach, which keeps new applicants on the much lower Newstart rate for the first 18 months . . . is excessive and merely condemns individuals to live $130 a week below the poverty line.
"Rather than focusing on making the process of accessing the Disability Support Pension so unpleasant, and keeping recipients in a state of anxiety about the implications of trying out part-time work, the government could focus more on supporting employers, tackling workplace discrimination and skills training."
But the government said the DSP reforms were not intended to change the process for reviewing existing DSP recipients.
The reforms focus on improving the process to assess new DSP claims and supporting people with disability who may have some capacity to work.
Ms Macklin said those who had some capacity to work should be working.
"Work provides independence, purpose and dignity and a sense of achievement," Ms Macklin said.
"I believe we can do better than a lifetime spent on income support for Australians who have some capacity to work.
"That's why this government has made significant reforms to the Disability Support Pension system. These reforms are showing strong signs of success".
From September 3 last year, people applying for the DSP (other than people who have a severe disability or illness) are required to show that they have tried to get help to find work, or tried to get skills for work before they can be eligible for the disability pension.
Previously, people could apply for the DSP without having to demonstrate that they had looked for work.
www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/macklin-defends-low-disability-support-pension-cancellation-rate/story-fn59niix-1226440704498
NEW figures reveal that despite more than 12,000 Disability Support Pension medical reviews last financial year, only 135 people on it had their payment cancelled.
But Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin said despite the low cancellation rate, the government's reforms to slow the growth of the ballooning pension had been working.
Since the government's DSP reforms began on July 1, 2010, the rate at which DSP claims are granted has fallen from 63.3 per cent to 42.3 per cent last May, a drop of more than 20 per cent.
The total number of people receiving DSP fell this year for the first time since 2006 from 831,594 in January to 827,512 in May. The number of DSP recipients has reduced every month since January.
Greens disability spokeswoman Rachel Siewert said evidence from the Senate budget estimates process reveals only 1.1 per cent of medical reviews of disability support pensioners resulted in a cancellation of their pension.
"The government has done its best to ensure that access to DSP is extremely difficult and the low level of cancellations reflects that those seeking the Disability Support Pension are in fact in genuine need," Senator Siewert said.
"In light of this low rate of cancellations, it is increasingly clear to me that the government's latest approach, which keeps new applicants on the much lower Newstart rate for the first 18 months . . . is excessive and merely condemns individuals to live $130 a week below the poverty line.
"Rather than focusing on making the process of accessing the Disability Support Pension so unpleasant, and keeping recipients in a state of anxiety about the implications of trying out part-time work, the government could focus more on supporting employers, tackling workplace discrimination and skills training."
But the government said the DSP reforms were not intended to change the process for reviewing existing DSP recipients.
The reforms focus on improving the process to assess new DSP claims and supporting people with disability who may have some capacity to work.
Ms Macklin said those who had some capacity to work should be working.
"Work provides independence, purpose and dignity and a sense of achievement," Ms Macklin said.
"I believe we can do better than a lifetime spent on income support for Australians who have some capacity to work.
"That's why this government has made significant reforms to the Disability Support Pension system. These reforms are showing strong signs of success".
From September 3 last year, people applying for the DSP (other than people who have a severe disability or illness) are required to show that they have tried to get help to find work, or tried to get skills for work before they can be eligible for the disability pension.
Previously, people could apply for the DSP without having to demonstrate that they had looked for work.
www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/macklin-defends-low-disability-support-pension-cancellation-rate/story-fn59niix-1226440704498