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What the 2011 Federal Budget Means for People with Disabilities.
National Disability Services (NDS) is the Australian peak body for non-government disability services. Through the provision of information, representation and policy advice, NDS promotes and advances services which support people with all forms of disability to participate in all domains of life.
The following analysis / commentary was recently provided to members and I think it provides readers with a summary of budget decisions as they relate to people with disability and other stakeholders in the disability sector in general.
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Federal Budget: modest measures, with one or two sharp edges
Highlights from the recent Federal Budget include:
- modest measures to increase the workforce participation of Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients - part of a much larger workforce development package
- an eight-month contract extension for ESS providers, followed by an open tender process for the majority of providers
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- no projected increase to DES fee levels
- indexation for Australian Disability Enterprises
- a substantial funding package for mental health
- $200 million to support the education of children with disability
- tax changes that will affect some not-for-profit organisations
- a Commonwealth funding increase to the States and Territories for disability services of $156 million
- In a welcome move, the Government has announced that it will lift the hours DSP recipients can work. People who began receiving DSP after 2005 are subject to a 15 hour a week work test. The new measure will enable them to work up to 30 hours a week without affecting their eligibility for DSP. The income test will still apply.
At the same time, new participation requirements will be imposed on younger DSP recipients. The new requirements in themselves are not onerous. From 1 July 2012, all new and existing DSP recipients under the age of 35 with an assessed work capacity of eight or more hours a week will have to attend Centrelink interviews quarterly for the first 18 months and then twice a year. These interviews will develop participation plans, which could include referral to an employment service. Interviewees will not be compelled to attend an employment service. However, their DSP could be suspended if they do not attend the Centrelink interviews. The Government estimates that the total cost of this will be $92.8 million over four years, with some of the additional funding (around $30 million) to enable employment services to manage the increased demand.
The Budget also brings forward (from January 2012 to September 2011) a measure announced in last year's Budget that requires DSP claimants to provide evidence that they have tested their work capacity by participating in training or work-related activities.
These changes are a small part of a workforce development strategy unveiled in the Budget. It includes 130,000 training places, a new National Workforce Development Fund, an expansion of the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program, funding to ensure that disadvantaged job seekers can access the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program, mentoring to support apprentices and trainees through to completion of their training and more.
Disability Employment Services
The Government has announced new contract arrangements for the DES program involving:
- a sensible extension of the contract for (non-remote) Employment Support Services by eight months to 1 March 2013 to enable time to collect further performance data. However, following that, services performing at three Stars or below will be subject to open tender. Controversially, this extends the tender process to a majority of ESS providers;
- extension of current Disability Management Service (DMS) contracts in non-remote areas until 30 June 2015;
- contracts for DES services in remote areas to be extended by 12 months to 30 June 2013 and new models to be developed. Two new Pathway Outcome payments will be created for disadvantaged job seekers in remote areas.
The new contracting arrangements will not work in their current form because they lock in current fee levels until 30 June 2015. Using Treasury price forecasts this is a real reduction in prices of 12.3%. The Government has offered to consult with NDS on aspects of the proposed changes to DES. NDS will strongly pursue more realistic pricing arrangements.
In other more welcome developments, the mandatory requirement for Ongoing Support Assessments to occur every 12 months will be removed if there is no change in the worker's previous two assessments. And funding will be made available to continue to pilot the DES Moderate Intellectual Disability Loading and Eligible School Leavers program until 1 March 2013.
Among several measures to assist employers:
- wage subsidies of $3,000 will support the employment of about 1,000 job seekers registered with a DES who have been unemployed for 12 months or more;
- employers will get $2,000 to assist with training and supervising a worker employed under the Supported Wage System (as long as they are employed for 26 weeks at 15 hours a week or more);
- information and training will be targeted at employers and industry groups to improve their knowledge of programs such as DES and to build their confidence to employ people with disability
A pilot program of tailored support for job seekers, which appears to be working well, will expand from nine sites to 24. This Department of Human Services initiative enables job seekers to access a range of Commonwealth, State and non-government (including DES) services at Centrelink offices. It takes a holistic approach to a person's needs, recognising that their employment prospects may hinge on their access to financial assistance, housing, advocacy and a range of other services.
Australian Disability Enterprises
The Budget contains $9.8 million new funding in 2011-12 for Australian Disability Enterprises, but around $3 million of this is to make up a short-fall from last year. The funding that is additional to last year's consists of:
- $4.13 million indexation (equivalent to 2%);
- just over $2 million to reflect the impact of factors such as ageing on client support needs; and
- $0.5 million for small capital purchases.
During 2011-12, the review of case based funding and the development of the vision for supported employment will be finalised and should be reflected in next year's Budget. NDS understands that the current DMI suspension will continue for at least the year ahead.
Not-for-Profit Reforms
The Budget announces several changes relating to not-for-profit organisations:
- an end to tax concessions of some unrelated commercial entities. Commercial activities that further the altruistic purpose of a not-for-profit entity (as well as small-scale unrelated commercial entities) won't be affected.
- the establishment of an Australian Charities and NFP Commission to develop guidelines for the not-for-profit sector, and assess the charitable status of entities.
- legislation to define a charity for all Commonwealth laws and all State/Territory laws if States and Territories agree. The definition would be subject to consultation with the sector and based on the 2001 report of the Inquiry into the Definition of Charities and Related Organisations.
The current statutory FBT multiple rates for car travel will be replaced with a single rate of 20% that applies regardless of the distance travelled. We shall provide members with further analysis of the impact of this measure.
National Mental Health Reform
The Budget details the expenditure of $2.2 billion over five years on mental health initiatives, $1.5 billion of which are new initiatives. They include expanding access to allied psychological services; the establishment of a National Mental Health Commission; more community mental health services; and coordinated care and flexible funding for people with 'severe and persistent mental illness'.
Children
As reported previously, the Government will provide $200 million over two years to increase the support for students with disability.
The Budget also includes additional funding to meet increased demand for the Helping Children with Autism package; and provides funding for the Better Start for Children with Disabilities initiative promised at the 2010 Federal Election.
National Disability Agreement
Commonwealth funding to the States and Territories will increase significantly from $1.052 billion in 2010-11 to $1.208 billion in 2011-12.
The Budget includes adjustments in payments to the States and Territories to ensure that the changes in roles and responsibilities for community care (HACC) under the National Health Reform agreement are budget neutral.
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Workplace Eco Myths and Realities
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Within an office environment, we may think we are using our equipment in the most environmentally and cost effective way; however in reality we are often doing the exact opposite. Here are a few of the more common polluting, dollar- and energy-wasting myths around the workplace:
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Printing double-sided and/or using recycled paper causes photocopiers to jam and makes you use more paper. |
| Reality |
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Many of us have had these experiences, but they are easily avoided with modern equipment. Using recycled paper and printing on both sides is an easy and effective energy and resource saving exercise everybody can take advantage of. |
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Refilled toner or ink cartridges leak everywhere and make an incredible mess. |
| Reality |
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As with recycled paper, this problem is avoidable and manufacturers and suppliers should be prepared to guarantee effective performance. |
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Turning off or power managing computers and printers cause’s network problems. |
| Reality |
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Major software suppliers say that if networks have been properly set up there should be no problem with turning off or power managing computers and printers in the network. Also, whilst the servers need to be left on, they don’t require their screens to be on after hours to assist processing. |
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When equipment is turned on, or powers up from sleep or suspend modes, there is often a current surge. The energy consumed during this current surge is so large that leaving your equipment in normal operating mode wastes less energy than turning it off or using power management features. |
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Start-up current surges are of very short duration and at most they consume a few seconds of average running time energy. Whenever your equipment is not being used for more than a few minutes it makes sense to turn it off or switch to a lower power setting. |
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Screen savers save energy. |
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Screen savers are energy wasters. Most computers use twice as much energy lighting up the screen as they use for processing. Originally, screen savers were designed to stop screens being burnt by a constant image, but they aren’t needed for modern screens. Not only can screen savers use as much energy as a full screen of work, but many require considerable processing energy as well. If you want to save energy you can set your screen saver to 'none' or 'blank screen.' |
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Turning off computers crashes the hard drive. |
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Switching off computers will have no significant effect on the useful lifetime of the hard disk. In the past larger hard drives were degraded by mechanical stress. Today some manufacturers specify a life of 40,000 power cycles for their hard drives. That is equivalent to 30 stop/start cycles for each working day over five years. |
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New VaTPaK General Manager - Faye Bowyer |
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We would all like to welcome Faye to VATMI. Faye has joined VATMI as our new VaTPaK General Manager and will take control of all VaTPaK related business. Faye will report directly to Greg and is based at Kew.
Faye has always worked in the food industry, initially in technical roles in Research and Development, then moving into sales, sales management, marketing and then General Management for the last 10 years, predominately in the food ingredient area selling to the major food and beverage manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand.
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Prior to joining VATMI Faye was the General Manager of Tate & Lyle ANZ, a multinational company, involved in the manufacture, importation and export of food ingredients and system blends for the food industry with a manufacturing facility in Australia serving the Australasian and Asia Pacific region. Faye actually established the Tate & Lyle business in Australia and New Zealand from scratch in 2006 which was a fantastic challenge and opportunity. She was responsible for the successful management of the Australian and New Zealand businesses, meeting portfolio growth targets and maintaining customer service excellence of over 300 customers.
A quick word from Faye: "VATMI has so many opportunities ahead of it and so I am really happy to have joined at such an exciting time of its growth and to be part of forming and driving the future vision of the company. I really enjoy the diversity -there are different challenges every day to involve myself in and lots to learn about the issues affecting the business and the workers. Everyone has been very friendly and helpful and I really appreciate that being new to the business".
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Club Wild Dance Party |
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Wild@heArt Community Arts is a non-for-profit organization which provides people with diverse abilities and those living with mental illness an opportunity to express themselves through art and music. One of their current programs is 'Club Wild', dance parties. "Club Wild supports the creative expression of people with a disability through music, video and performance, and champions their equal participation in society - in seriously funky style!"
The next dance party event is on Saturday 11th June 2011, 6pm to 10pm, at North Melbourne Town Hall. It is a cabaret and dance party show - featuring a huge show of performers from the Club Wild community. Open mic spots so you get a go too!
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL - PLEASE CONTACT Wild@heART
North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry St, North Melbourne (corner Errol St). Tram 57 along Elizabeth St, from Flinders Street. Metered street parking 'til 12.30pm. Parking in the area can be limited; volunteers will be available to assist with dropping people off, parking and return to the venue.
Dance Party, $15. Carers free. For more information and bookings call: 9326 9970, 0402 812428 or phil@wildatheart.org.au.
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T2 Champion |
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Our T2 team have consistently been delivering high quality work and productivity rates; however we have recently discovered a champion within our midst. Feedback from one of our valued customers had outlined a positive difference in current stock being delivered. The comments centred on the labelling of their foil pouches and tins. Presentation of the label on products is paramount in marketing strategies and subsequently those who apply the labels require a high degree of precision and the ability to replicate this skill time after time.
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Dianne Lansheer recently rejoined Rosemary’s team in the tearoom and it is largely due to Dianne’s pursuit of consistency that this achievement has been acknowledged. After Dianne had been trained to fill a vacancy, she demonstrated skills of accuracy and confidence in tackling this new role.
Dianne’s eye for quality and accuracy has contributed to excellent service delivery and a very satisfied customer! On behalf of VATMI we would all like to say, Well Done Dianne!
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How Many Trees Would It Take? |
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VATMI is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and as such a quick review of our recent energy costs has revealed a sobering account of our consumption. Over the last ten months, we have communally consumed over $239,000 worth of electricity. This is obviously a phenomenal amount of energy. It has to be taken into account that VATMI is an energy heavy industry as we operate using machinery and have large buildings to run and maintain. However, the amount of energy is staggering. This equates to over 1200 tones of greenhouse gases created by VATMI in the last ten months and to offset this amount of energy, it would take 1253 broad leafed trees, 100 years to absorb our emissions from the last ten months!
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So what can we do? If we all make a marked effort to do simple things like, turning off lights when they are not needed, shut down our pc's when we leave for the day, turn off our monitors and other appliances when not in use - this will create a significant impact.
Please take a moment and think about the impact we are having in the environment and in turn take little steps to further reduce our impact.
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Archiving Time! |
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As an effort to create a more streamlined and efficient working environment, here at Kew we have been making a huge effort to archive our information. Thanks to Mohan Swamy we have separate server archive drives for electronic archiving, whilst also we have been physically archiving files from within our office. Currently we have managed to identify and archive over 30 storage boxes worth of paperwork and files! This has created a vast amount of space within our office and allows us to function unhindered and unobstructed by reams of old paperwork and filling. As a result of the archiving project we have actually created a purpose built room to house archived information on site. Thank you to Stacy Moisdis who facilitated this room and managed its creation.
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It's been a big exercise and has certainly created a less cluttered and streamlined office space. Well done and keep up the good work!
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Five Minutes With: Rosemary Buck, Production Supervisor, Kew. |
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- What is the best thing about your job:
- The best thing about my job is the people I work with. I really enjoy the friendly atmosphere, the interactions and the chance to guide team members to achieve excellent quality standards.
- How long have you been with VATMI:
- I have worked for VATMI for five years, as a Production Supervisor.
- Where did you work before VATMI
- Before VATMI I worked for National Foods. My role at National Foods included several aspects, including planning, hiring, quality control etc.
- What was your first concert:
- My first concert was at Festival Hall in Melbourne when I was 14 years old. I went with a group of my friends to see Sky Hooks.
- What is the best piece of advice you have been given:
- "For the grace of god there go I" - When you see somebody less fortunate than yourself.
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Key Dates |
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26th May 2011
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National Sorry Day
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26th May 2011
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Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
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27th - 3rd June
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National Reconciliation Week
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5th June
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World Environmental Day
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14th June
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World Blood Donor Day
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