Ararat Advocate: Ararat protest targets disability funding cuts
- HACSU Communications
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
DISABILITY support workers to took the streets of Ararat this week in a protest against job losses and under-resourcing of disability services. The protest outside Ararat Town Hall was attended by around 50 people and was clearly aimed at disability support provider Possability and the Victorian Government and follows a decision to bring to an end a government subsidy, leading to mass closure of disability homes.
By Craig Wilson
For nearly a decade, the Victorian State Government has provided a subsidy to support five disability providers to run former state-operated group homes.
The Health and Community Services Union says the money provided for essential safeguards, training standards, and quality of care, making up for a substantial shortfall in NDIS funding.
However, the subsidy was ended by the in December with no plan or contingencies provided for the thousands of affected disability support workers, participants, and their families.
The union is urging the government to extend funding as services begin cutting roles, removing essential worker conditions, and shutting down Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes.
Union State Secretary Paul Healey said the closures are forcing participants out, separating them from long-term housemates and trusted support workers.
He said in many cases, residents have lived together for decades, including in remote and rural communities where no alternative services exist.
Among the formerly state-run group homes, 89 have closed across Victoria, including six in the Ripon and Lowan electorates.
Mr Healey said currently, around 490 homes statewide are at risk, with 26 in the Stawell and Ararat regions facing potential closure.
“this is an important time and it’s really good to see so many people here today.
“Victoria’s disability sector is in crisis and the state government’s response has been frankly disgraceful.”
“We’re seeing participants who have lived together for years torn apart without discussion, with no regard whatsoever for the outcomes that follow for participants, their families, or the disability support workers who have been with them for years”
“The solution is obvious. We need immediate government intervention to guarantee that participants are safe, cared for, and not left to the whims and fancies of struggling private providers,” he said.
“At the end of the day the thing we need most is about the participants and their families, making sure they have good lives and that they are looked after and cared for by good people,” Mr Healey said.
“Possibility have been dragging their feet, but we will keep fighting.”
Local disability support worker Max told Wednesday’s rally the industry is in decline.
“The sector feels like it’s going in the wrong direction, it feels like we are being left behind, it feels like the sector is circling the drain pipe,” he said.
Mr Healey said the National Disability Insurance Scheme cannot be the sole pillar of disability care.
“Without dedicated state funding for worker training, supervision, and essential block funding for the SIL sector, the system is falling short.
“We urgently call on the state government to step in with sustained investment to ensure that Victorians who rely on these services receive the consistent, high-quality care and support they need.
“As the provider of last resort and as a matter of moral urgency the Victorian State Government and Premier Jacinta Allan must intervene,” Mr Healey said.
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