Confusion reigns in the disability sector amid backflip after backflip by the Allan Labor Government.
Hours after she withdrew legislation that would merge disability watchdogs into one body against the sector’s wishes – and giving it hope for the stand-alone service sought – Disability Minister, Lizzie Blandthorn, doubled down and confusingly announced it was still the government’s intention to merge the services.
Shadow Minister for Disability, Ageing, Carers and Volunteers, Tim Bull, said the government was in complete disarray, leaving disability groups very confused and deeply concerned.
Last sitting week Minister Blandthorn embarrassingly withdrew legislation introduced into Parliament more than a year ago that merged key functions of the existing disability complaints process into a bigger, more cumbersome Social Services Regulator (SSR).
“It was a move opposed by disability groups who wanted stand-alone complaints service as recommended by the Disability Royal Commission,” Mr Bull said.
However, just hours later, in response to a question on the matter, the Minister said: “Whether people are using social services in relation to housing, disability, out-of-home care or in relation to other children’s services (it will be) under one regulator … we remain absolutely committed to the proposal.”
Mr Bull said it raised serious questions why the original bill was withdrawn.
“The Minister came under fire from almost 20 disability groups with her plans to merge the Disability Complaints Commissioner, Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner and Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria into the larger Social Services Regular that would also consider housing, mental health and children’s services complaints.
“In line with the Royal Commission findings, these groups wanted a stand-alone complaints process.
“Of equal concern is that they were not consulted on the change when the Minister’s own slogan is ‘nothing about us without us’.
“Sadly even the second time around it seems the sector will again not be consulted. You cannot have this slogan and then fail to follow through with it.”
