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Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:05): (1919) My constituency question is for the Minister for Disability. My constituent is a resident of Noble Park. He works in disability support at the local supported independent living facility, or SIL. With the state subsidy for the SIL set to expire at the end of this year, my constituent holds grave concerns for the future of vulnerable residents in Noble Park. Fifty-nine group homes across Victoria have already closed,

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:56): (1946) My question today is to the Minister for Disability, and I ask it on behalf of the thousands of residents of group homes in my electorate and thousands of disability workers who support these residents in places like the Scope homes in Gisborne Street and Yarraleen Place in Bulleen, Life Without Barriers homes in May Street and Polaris Drive in Doncaster, the Melba home in Reilly Court, Croydon, and many, many more

Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (12:45): (1164) My question is for the Minister for Disability. Minister, you have previously spoken in this place about an MOU between the state government and HACSU, the Health and Community Services Union, which comes to an end on 31 December this month. This MOU has allowed for the continuation of providing supported independent living services to people with complex and multiple disabilities. Sadly, as this MOU comes to an e

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:47): (2108) My question is to the Minister for Disability . The state disability subsidy for supported independent living group homes ended last year, and it disrupted care, reducing staffing and putting participants and their families at risk and in a state of high concern. Homes are at risk and participants are concerned that they ...and I ask the minister: have you now engaged with your Commonwealth counterpart and what will you do to s

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (19:10): (2294) My adjournment is for the Minister for Disability , and the action I seek concerns what can only be described as the complete collapse of Victoria’s disability group home system, and I ask for the government to take immediate steps to stop further group home closures, prevent the termination of the Disability Services Enterprise Agreement Victoria, protect the wages and safety conditions of more than 7500  disa

Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:23): (1210) My question is for Minister Blandthorn, who I believe is not here today, so to the Treasurer. My electorate has around 30  disability houses with around 7500 workers who are facing imminent reductions in pay and removal of protections. My question to the minister is: is she aware that the Health and Community Services Union repeatedly warned the government that ending the supported independent living subsidy would force provid

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:22): (1233) My question is to the Minister for Disability . Minister, Jeremy is 37 and has lived in a specialist disability accommodation property in Camberwell owned by the Victorian government for 17 years. Last year Scope Australia advised they would no longer operate supported independent living at the property. At the time Disability Homes Victoria assured affected residents that the home would remain as SDA, yet despite Jer

Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) I recently met with local disability service providers from the health and community services and independent living sector. Peter, Marianne, Martin and Abu raised their concerns regarding the independent living funding shortfall between the state and federal governments that is having a significant impact on people with disabilities, their families and workers. On 1 January this year the Allan Labor government brutally cut transition funding withou

Disability workers across the state are organising to save the disability sector. Keen for a meeting? Reach out to Roman Ciofuli on 0484 023 247 or romanc@hacsu.asn.au

his past weekend, The Age reported on the new lengths Disability service providers are going to in a bid to cut costs: "One of the state’s largest disability service providers is withdrawing its transport services, telling residents they will need to use taxis and public transport to leave their homes from June 30. Despite owning a fleet of specialised vehicles that are used by staff to help transport more than 1300 disabled residents under their care, Scope has ordered its m

These headlines in The Age and Herald Sun make clear something that Disability Support Workers have known for a long time – disability funding in Australia is broken! Why are NDIS Commission executives spending close to a million dollars on flights when there’s no money for worker training, supervision, or keeping essential disability homes open in Victoria? Read more: https://buff.ly/0EW6YiT

The Government is forcing disability service providers to either cut wages, or close houses. Every wage cut hurts the workers who care. Every house closure disrupts real Victorian lives. People with disability deserve support. Victorian families deserve stability. Workers deserve respect. We need transparency, accountability, and investment in our services. Help us raise awareness. Share this post.