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Government delivers on disbility funding

A decision to fund the Disability Services Industry Wages Agreement by the Bartlett Government today has been labelled “a momentous and welcome relief” that will positively affect more than 1500 disability support workers around the state.

The new agreement will be effective from 1 July 2009 and will deliver a crucial minimum 4.9 per cent wage increase and raise the previously inadequate sleepover allowance from $22.00 to $60.00.

The agreement will apply to all disability support providers who enter into a collective agreement made between the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) and disability support employers, before 1 July 2009.

HACSU State Secretary, Chris Brown said that the Bartlett Government's decision to fund this Agreement is a significant acknowledgement of the important role that disability support workers provide within our community.

"I want to commend Minister Thorp for delivering on an agreement of this magnitude. Today's announcement is a momentous and welcome relief that recognises our members' significant contribution to disability services," he said.

"HACSU is pleased to achieve this extremely successful outcome for members. This outcome will ensure that vital disability services will continue to be provided by highly skilled staff well into the future."

Nexus disability support worker, Lorraine Brown said that the funding of this agreement is tremendous.

"Disability workers will finally get the funding that they deserve. I have been a disability worker for 16 years, and in that time the 'sleepover allowance' has gone up by only $5 - which is appalling," she said.

"The funding of this Agreement means heaps. It'll mean I'll have a little bit more of a life, rather than struggling just to keep my head above water. Thank you HACSU and Minister Thorp."