Landmark Disability Decision Highlights Cheapskate Approach to Disability Support

A landmark court decision highlights the government’s reluctance to properly fund and prioritise support for people with disabilities, according to the PSA.

The Court of Appeal has upheld a case which confirms that the parents of disabled children are being unreasonably discriminated against by not being allowed to be paid for providing support for their relatives.

The PSA says the case underlines the difficult and skilled work required in supporting people with disabilities.

“It is heartening to see the complexity of this type of work being backed up by the court,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

The disability and community mental health sector has been chronically underfunded by government for years.

Mr Wagstaff says workers in these areas are among the lowest paid in the country and their work is historically undervalued.

 “It’s all about priorities.  The government has prioritised finance companies and tax cuts over people with disabilities and has chosen to fund sporting events and movie deals over disability providers”.

“This cheapskate approach to funding disability services is unfair on workers but what this court decision proves is that it is also unfair on parents, and most importantly on some of society’s most vulnerable people.”

The PSA continues to demand that disability services be put on a firm footing through funding based on decent pay and quality services. 

ENDS

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