Post by Banjo on May 15, 2014 12:40:52 GMT 7
Budget 2014 Commentary: Budget brings high and lows for disability employment in Australia
Thu, 15 May 2014, 02:17 PM
Commentary, Disability Employment Australia, 14 May 2014
“Last night’s budget announcements will likely reduce the income of many people with disability, without the desired benefit of increasing workforce participation rates,” said Disability Employment Australia CEO, Mr Craig Harrison.
“Reassessing eligibility for the Disability Support Pension (DSP) will lead to uncertainty and anxiety for many people with disability and their families. This will negatively impact upon those who want to work and those who already have found employment,” said Mr Harrison.
“Disability Employment Australia views Welfare Review as a significant nation-building opportunity, and is concerned that yesterday’s budget announcements will be to the detriment of people with disability, in effect excluding some individuals from Australia’s workforce by reducing support payments,” said Mr Harrison.
Minister Andrews recently delayed announcements regarding Mr McClure’s Welfare Review until after the 2014/15 Budget.
Disability Employment Australia continues to encourage the Government to view the Welfare Reform as an investment opportunity not a cost-saving measure. Crucial to improved and sustainable workforce participation rates is a significant investment in pathways to employment, such as school to work transition programs. Employer and public perception is also a major barrier to participation.
“The investment in a major Australia-wide campaign to encourage employers to employ people with disability, and the government leadership through committing to increasing employment of people with disability in the public service are both central building blocks. These sorts of initiatives ought to form a central part of the outcome of the Welfare Review process,” said Mr Harrison.
Disability Employment Australia commends the Government’s continued commitment to the National Disability Strategy.
“This is a significant foundation strategy that commits to improving the lives of people with disability in all domains of life,” said Mr Harrison.
Similarly, the Government’s acknowledgement of the quality services currently delivered by Disability Employment Services (DES) and the decision to put to open tender the 47 per cent of DES-Disability Management Service business that is currently allocated to the government provider, CRS Australia is to be commended.
“By opening more of the market, this will build the capacity of the DES program and deliver improved employment outcomes for people with disability,” Mr Harrison said.
Disability Employment Australia looks forward to continuing to work with the Government to reduce the multiple barriers to employment participation for people with disability. As a nation, Australia can and must do better than our current OECD ranking of 21/29 in the employment of people with disability. We can and must do this for the sake of people with disability, their families and the ongoing economic sustainability of the country.
disabilityemployment.org.au/news/item/1868/
Thu, 15 May 2014, 02:17 PM
Commentary, Disability Employment Australia, 14 May 2014
“Last night’s budget announcements will likely reduce the income of many people with disability, without the desired benefit of increasing workforce participation rates,” said Disability Employment Australia CEO, Mr Craig Harrison.
“Reassessing eligibility for the Disability Support Pension (DSP) will lead to uncertainty and anxiety for many people with disability and their families. This will negatively impact upon those who want to work and those who already have found employment,” said Mr Harrison.
“Disability Employment Australia views Welfare Review as a significant nation-building opportunity, and is concerned that yesterday’s budget announcements will be to the detriment of people with disability, in effect excluding some individuals from Australia’s workforce by reducing support payments,” said Mr Harrison.
Minister Andrews recently delayed announcements regarding Mr McClure’s Welfare Review until after the 2014/15 Budget.
Disability Employment Australia continues to encourage the Government to view the Welfare Reform as an investment opportunity not a cost-saving measure. Crucial to improved and sustainable workforce participation rates is a significant investment in pathways to employment, such as school to work transition programs. Employer and public perception is also a major barrier to participation.
“The investment in a major Australia-wide campaign to encourage employers to employ people with disability, and the government leadership through committing to increasing employment of people with disability in the public service are both central building blocks. These sorts of initiatives ought to form a central part of the outcome of the Welfare Review process,” said Mr Harrison.
Disability Employment Australia commends the Government’s continued commitment to the National Disability Strategy.
“This is a significant foundation strategy that commits to improving the lives of people with disability in all domains of life,” said Mr Harrison.
Similarly, the Government’s acknowledgement of the quality services currently delivered by Disability Employment Services (DES) and the decision to put to open tender the 47 per cent of DES-Disability Management Service business that is currently allocated to the government provider, CRS Australia is to be commended.
“By opening more of the market, this will build the capacity of the DES program and deliver improved employment outcomes for people with disability,” Mr Harrison said.
Disability Employment Australia looks forward to continuing to work with the Government to reduce the multiple barriers to employment participation for people with disability. As a nation, Australia can and must do better than our current OECD ranking of 21/29 in the employment of people with disability. We can and must do this for the sake of people with disability, their families and the ongoing economic sustainability of the country.
disabilityemployment.org.au/news/item/1868/