ACSA Level One, 36 Albert Road, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205 Tel: (03) 9686 3460
Media Release
November 24, 2009
ACSA welcomes disability inquiry
Australia’s peak body representing aged and community services has welcomed the Federal
Government’s announcement of a Productivity Commission inquiry into funding care and services for
people with a disability.
Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) CEO Greg Mundy said a whole of community approach
to funding and supporting people with disabilities was essential. “Disability comes in many forms and
we are particularly delighted that the Prime Minister has included aged care in the scope of the
Commission’s inquiry,” Mr Mundy said.
“Social insurance is an option which should be explored as a means of equitably funding critical support
services for those who need them. The Prime Minister acknowledged in his announcement that more
than 2 million Australians are forecast to be living with a high level of disability by 2030 – many of those
people will be elderly Australians.
“With the information available to us today we can properly plan to fund and structure a system for the
provision of care and services for growing numbers of older people unable to live without some form of
assistance. It is equally important that we have a system in place to support those with disabilities
which could not, and cannot be anticipated.
“We already know that many older people living with a disability are being denied access to the levels of
care and support they need, due to inadequate funding, delays in assessments, and confusing regulatory
requirements. A simplified system which assures the funding and delivery of long term care and
support to people with a disability, regardless of its cause, is long over due for millions of Australians.
“We have a collective responsibility to invest in a caring and supportive system. We all face the prospect
of growing old, we all share the risk of a disability, and we are all in this together.
“The inquiry will be an important adjunct to the Government’s reforms considered as part of the
National Health and Hospital Reform Commission’s recommendations, the related aged care reference
to the Productivity Commission and any changes proposed for our taxation system as part of Dr Ken
Henry’s review.”
ACSA’s members provide accommodation and services for older people, people with disabilities and
their carers.
Media contact: Chris Hornsey 0419 513 432
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