DISABILITY SA

STATE BUDGET REPORT 2008

The Treasurer, the Hon Kevin Foley MP delivered the 2008 State Budget yesterday. (ie Thursday 5 June 2008)

Senior PSA officials President Lindsay Oxlad, General Secretary Jan McMahon and Chief Industrial Officer Peter Christopher attended yesterday's Budget lock-up.

The detailed Budget documents totaling several hundred pages are undergoing detailed analysis. From an initial review of the papers the following are a number of key items of general application within disability services.

• $72.9 million in Commonwealth Government funding, and the commitment by the State Government to match the funding was $26m and the already committed $46.9m of additional money in last year's budget.

• Extra recurrent Commonwealth/State funding over the next 4 years that includes supported accommodation for 92 people (including the 55 in the new homes); additional respite places, helping families with ongoing care, including 60 places in rehabilitation programs for people with a brain injury; and more support for people who want to keep living at home.

• Expansion of existing early intervention services for children with autism

The PSA will arrange to meet with executive management to discuss the implications for members working in Disability SA.