Print this pageThe Commonwealth Disability Strategy aims to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully in community life. It challenges agencies to consider how they approach and report on their performance in terms of five broad roles. Three of these roles – the regulator, purchaser and provider roles – are not applicable to us. In the 2008–09 Annual Report we are required to report on our role as policy adviser. Our performance in relation to our employer role is reflected in the 2008–09 State of the Service Report.
Our Policy Advisor Role
The role of policy advisers is to initiate and develop government policy. This role helps government to achieve positive outcomes for the community as a whole and involves consideration of support for different groups within the community, including people with disability.
In 2008–09, we engaged with a range of agencies across government to help develop and implement several significant policy initiatives that support people with disability and their carers. We played a lead role in progressing the new National Disability Agreement that was agreed by COAG in November 2008. The extra Commonwealth funding under the National Disability Agreement will provide more than 24,800 additional disability places for individual and in-home support, accommodation and respite care.
We have been closely involved throughout 2008–09 in several other key areas of government action to support people with disabilities, including:
- The Pension Review, which led to increases in the 2009–10 Budget to the Disability Support Pension and the Carer Payment, as well as introduction of an annual Carer Supplement.
- Australia’s ratification in July 2008 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- Development of the National Disability Strategy, which will provide direction and focus at a national level for the development of disability legislation, policy and standards which deliver a whole-of-government, whole-of-life approach to disability planning. The draft Strategy is due to be finalised by the end of 2009.
- Establishment of Job Services Australia, which from 1 July 2009 replaces Australian Government general employment services, and development of a new model for disability employment services which will commence from 1 March 2010 following intensive consultation with stakeholders during 2008–09.
- Working with the states and territories on harmonising disability parking permit schemes across Australia and providing national coverage for carer companion card schemes.
We encourage a whole-of-government approach to policy development and program effectiveness for people with disabilities. We aim to ensure that new or revised policies/programs:
- are developed in consultation with people with disabilities if they might impact in different ways on the lives of people with disabilities
- assess the direct impact on the lives of people with disabilities before decisions are made, and
- re developed and sufficiently resourced to inform people with disabilities.
policies, priorities and reforms impacting on people with disabilities took place with close regard to feedback from the disability sector and other key stakeholders. As a key point of connection between government agencies and the Cabinet we seek to ensure that all the proposals lodged for consideration by Cabinet are clear about:
- what community consultation has occurred to date
- how proposals are likely to impact on the community, and
- how and when any decision is to be communicated.
In collaborating with other government agencies to communicate initiatives of government, we also aim to ensure that the decisions or initiatives are communicated via a diverse range of formats to make them readily available to people with disabilities.
Social Snapshot: Hartley Ability Cycle Challenge
Photo: (from left to right) Alison East, Henry Thomson, George Powell, Greg Burge, John Geering, Lee Steel, Anthony Swan, Simon Mackenzie, Marcus Wong. Not present is Joseph Solomon and the support crew of Larissa Arney and Michael Parry.
For the second year PM&C staff took to their bikes in support of Hartley Lifecare. Participation by PM&C was made possible with the support of staff across the department and through the generous contribution from our major corporate sponsor, NEC, who provided $15,000. This major fundraising activity builds awareness in the community of the many issues confronting people with physical and complex disabilities and raises funds to help provide high-quality residential, recreational, respite and transitional services for both children and adults with complex needs.
Following the launch of our team by the Secretary, Team PM&C NEC kitted up in their new uniform for what was a long and tough but truly rewarding cycle challenge. Over three days from 28 to 30 November 2008, and enduring inclement conditions, the team rode from Canberra to Mt Kosciuszko and back to Canberra.
The 181 kilometre stage from Canberra to Jindabyne had it all – lovely Spring sunshine, a siesta after lunch before heavy rain and wind lashed the riders. In true PM&C style team members rode on. Jubilation set in with their arrival at the warm lodge in Jindabyne. The second stage provided everyone with the chance to put their hill training into practice as they aimed for Charlotte Pass. Thick cold fog blanketed the mountains as riders from all teams focused on getting to the foot of Mt Kosciuszko and completing the return trip of 90 kilometres. A sense of achievement was felt as the bunch made good time along the undulating hills of the Monaro highway during the third stage. The entry into Canberra signalled personal success for participants as well as the knowledge that people with physical and complex disabilities would benefit from the team’s effort. This represents a major fundraising activity in which the department is involved with the proceeds going to a local charity that assists local people.