Post by Banjo on Aug 25, 2013 22:28:59 GMT 7
Charities urged to boycott disability 'freeloaders'
PRIVATE enterprise is cashing in on the national disability insurance scheme, with charities and government officials being charged up to $5000 a head to attend conferences on the multi-billion-dollar program's rollout.
Outraged campaigners have called for a boycott of the Melbourne and Sydney conferences organised by the Sydney-based Criterion Conferences, which will be addressed by leading figures in the rollout of the NDIS, now called DisabilityCare Australia.
Presenters at the two conferences include DisabilityCare board member Rhonda Galbally, senior federal public servant Nick Hartland, Victorian parliamentary secretary Andrea Coote and NSW Disabilities Department chief Jim Longley.
Criterion Conferences is charging charities up to $2600 for a seat at the two-day conference to be held in Melbourne in October, entitled Building the Disability Workforce, and government and corporate representatives more than $3000. Three one-day workshops will cost charities $550 and government delegates $880.
The two-day Sydney conference in November, Implementing DisabilityCare Reforms: lessons from all launch sites, will also cost charities about $2600, plus nearly $900 for each of two workshop days, while government and corporate attendees would pay up to $5000 for four days.
Social media site NDIS Grassroots Discussion has sent a protest letter to charities around the country urging a boycott of the conferences.
"We ask you to take a stand against this attempt to freeload on the disability reform process and urge you not to attend," it says.
"Let the organisers know you will not be there and why. . . What initiatives could you carry out that families or individuals have been waiting for? Think about the difference this money could make to the lives of the people your organisation supports."
The head of peak-sector group National Disability Services, Ken Baker, wrote to his members, highlighting the piggy-backing of private enterprise on taxpayer-funded community services.
South Australian Dignity For Disability MP Kelly Vincent also strongly objected.
"The money government and service-provider representatives will spend attending talkfests like this would be far better spent funding on-the-ground services that help people with disabilities access work, recreation and the community," Ms Vincent said.
"Any information on how the implementation of the taxpayer-funded NDIS is progressing should be made freely and openly available."
West Australian-based disability advocate Samantha Connor said the conference charges were a direct insult to the disabled who had waited years for essential equipment and services.
"A single ticket to one of these conferences would pay for a lot of help and that is not just an outrage, it's a travesty," she said.
Criterion Conferences managing director Cath Jules said the level of fees being charged reflected the fact that the conferences offered a "high-quality program that is very well-researched, put together . . . with senior people in the industry".
www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/charities-urged-to-boycott-disability-freeloaders/story-fn59niix-1226703780257
PRIVATE enterprise is cashing in on the national disability insurance scheme, with charities and government officials being charged up to $5000 a head to attend conferences on the multi-billion-dollar program's rollout.
Outraged campaigners have called for a boycott of the Melbourne and Sydney conferences organised by the Sydney-based Criterion Conferences, which will be addressed by leading figures in the rollout of the NDIS, now called DisabilityCare Australia.
Presenters at the two conferences include DisabilityCare board member Rhonda Galbally, senior federal public servant Nick Hartland, Victorian parliamentary secretary Andrea Coote and NSW Disabilities Department chief Jim Longley.
Criterion Conferences is charging charities up to $2600 for a seat at the two-day conference to be held in Melbourne in October, entitled Building the Disability Workforce, and government and corporate representatives more than $3000. Three one-day workshops will cost charities $550 and government delegates $880.
The two-day Sydney conference in November, Implementing DisabilityCare Reforms: lessons from all launch sites, will also cost charities about $2600, plus nearly $900 for each of two workshop days, while government and corporate attendees would pay up to $5000 for four days.
Social media site NDIS Grassroots Discussion has sent a protest letter to charities around the country urging a boycott of the conferences.
"We ask you to take a stand against this attempt to freeload on the disability reform process and urge you not to attend," it says.
"Let the organisers know you will not be there and why. . . What initiatives could you carry out that families or individuals have been waiting for? Think about the difference this money could make to the lives of the people your organisation supports."
The head of peak-sector group National Disability Services, Ken Baker, wrote to his members, highlighting the piggy-backing of private enterprise on taxpayer-funded community services.
South Australian Dignity For Disability MP Kelly Vincent also strongly objected.
"The money government and service-provider representatives will spend attending talkfests like this would be far better spent funding on-the-ground services that help people with disabilities access work, recreation and the community," Ms Vincent said.
"Any information on how the implementation of the taxpayer-funded NDIS is progressing should be made freely and openly available."
West Australian-based disability advocate Samantha Connor said the conference charges were a direct insult to the disabled who had waited years for essential equipment and services.
"A single ticket to one of these conferences would pay for a lot of help and that is not just an outrage, it's a travesty," she said.
Criterion Conferences managing director Cath Jules said the level of fees being charged reflected the fact that the conferences offered a "high-quality program that is very well-researched, put together . . . with senior people in the industry".
www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/charities-urged-to-boycott-disability-freeloaders/story-fn59niix-1226703780257
