UnitingCare Australia urges rethink on disability support cuts

23 May 2002

From: UnitingCare Australia

UnitingCare Australia, the national body representing the Uniting Church's community service agencies, welcomed reports that the Government is reconsidering some of the cuts to the disability support pension (DSP) announced in this month's federal budget.

Under the announced Budget changes, from July next year, anyone judged to be capable of working 15 hours a week at award wages will be pushed on to the Newstart allowance. The current test is 30 hours a week and tens of thousands are likely to lose the DSP. Those who are forced on to Newstart must actively seek work - unlike disability pensioners - or be stripped of part of their payment. They will receive $26 a week less in base payments and lose pharmaceutical and other concessions such as transport and communications.

The National Director of UnitingCare Australia, Lin Hatfield Dodds, said 'We affirm the concerns expressed by the Minister for Family and Community Services Senator Amanda Vanstone who has indicated that the Government may agree to some modifications to the legislation to take account of hardship cases.'

'People with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged in Australian society' said Ms Hatfield Dodds. 'It is clear from the case studies that have been given publicity since the Budget that these changes will further disadvantage many people.'

'UnitingCare Australia is concerned that the changes will put many people who do genuinely contribute to society into a position of double jeopardy,' said Rev Richard Miller, the chair of UnitingCare Australia's national Advisory Committee on Disability.

'While official figures demonstrate that few people currently receiving the DSP are able to work, many who do are only able to work between 15 and 30 hours per week. As well as being forced off the disability support pension, these people will also lose concessions in key areas such as communications, transport, and pharmaceuticals,' said Mr Miller. 'We are also aware of people who contribute positively to the social good through volunteer work. The work tests required by the NewStart allowance will prevent this work,' said Mr Miller.

'UnitingCare Australia is writing to Minister Vanstone to encourage and support her announced inclination to reconsider the social costs of these sort of changes to the disability support pension,' said Ms Hatfield Dodds. 'We strongly encourage the Minister to enter into dialogue with stakeholders to address the issues as a matter of urgent social concern,' Ms Hatfield Dodds concluded.

UnitingCare is Australia's largest non-government welfare network, which gives expression to the Uniting Church's commitment to supporting individuals, families and communities by providing caring services. The UnitingCare network is one of the largest providers of residential and community-based disability services in Australia.

Contacts: Lin Hatfield Dodds, National Director, 02 6290 2160 (w), 0500 543 300 (mobile)
Rev Richard Miller, 08 8236 4253 (w), 0413 431 240 (mobile) (South Australia)
Bruce Shaw, Senior Policy Officer, 02 6290 2160 (w), 0438 628 182 (mobile)

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