Clean Energy Future Household Assistance Package

DARU Update

18 July 2011

·  IN THE NEWS

·  EVENTS

·  PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

·  TRAINING

·  SUBMISSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS

·  FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

·  PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

IN THE NEWS

Clean Energy Future – Household Assistance Package

Media Release, Office of the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Last Sunday the Australian Government announced its plan for a clean energy future.

An important part of this announcement was the Household Assistance Package, worth $14.9 billion over four years, which will help Australian households meet their expected increase in costs of living due to the carbon price.

This package directly assists those Australians who will be most affected by the carbon price. This assistance will mean:

·  More than 50 per cent of the carbon price revenue will be used to assist households

·  All assistance will be permanent and will rise over time

·  Low-income and middle-income households will be eligible for assistance that at least offsets their expected average price impact from the carbon price

·  Australians receiving means tested income support payments will be eligible for assistance under the package and recipients working part-time may also benefit from the new tax free threshold of $18,200

·  Australians receiving the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Service Pension and the Seniors Supplement will all receive assistance with the costs of the carbon price

·  Assistance will be provided to families receiving the Family Tax Benefit

·  The Low Carbon Communities program has been expanded to include the Household Energy and Financial Sustainability Scheme, to support 100,000 low income households to improve their energy and financial sustainability

·  Households with people who have a relevant concession card and face higher essential electricity costs due to medical condition or disability will be eligible for additional assistance

·  Over a million taxpayers will not have to lodge a tax return, because we are lifting the tax free threshold from $6,000 to $18,200

·  A new $40 million Remote Indigenous Energy Program will help remote Indigenous communities access clean, affordable and reliable 24-hour power supplies.

The Low Income Energy Efficiency Program will provide up to $100 million in grants to consortiums of local and state governments, community organisations, energy retailers and energy service companies to assist low income households reduce energy costs to adjust to the impacts of a carbon price. These competitive grants will fund around 15 to 20 trial projects to assist identified low income households across the country.

To find out more about the Household Assistance Package, phone1800 057 590 or visit:

http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/

Extra Support for Pensioners and Self-Funded Retirees

Joint Media Release, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister and

The Hon Jenny Macklin, 10 July 2011

The Gillard Government will provide Australia's 3.4 million pensioners with extra payments that at least offset all of their expected price impact under a carbon price. Around 90 per cent of pensioner households, including all full rate pensioners, will also benefit from a buffer of at least 20 per cent over and above their expected average price impact from the carbon price.

About 280,000 self-funded retirees who are Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card holders will receive the same amount of assistance as age pensioners. Australians receiving Age Pensions, Disability Support Pensions, Carer Payment, Service Pension and the Seniors Supplement will all receive assistance with the costs of the carbon price.

Pensioners will receive a new Clean Energy Supplement equal to a 1.7 per cent increase in the maximum rate of pension. This is an annual increase of up to $338 for singles and $510 for couples combined.

Pensioners will receive lump sum advance payments of up to $250 for a single pensioner before the carbon price begins, to make sure they have extra money in their pockets to help meet price impacts.

For pensioners, this advance payment will be equivalent to nine months – or in other words, about three quarters – of the extra annual payment.

The advance payment will be made in May and June 2012. Regular payment of the Clean Energy Supplement will begin in March 2013. The assistance will be permanent and will rise over time through indexation.

The Government will review the adequacy of assistance each year and will increase it further if necessary.

This article also provides information on:

·  Essential Medical Equipment Payment

·  Support for aged care residents and their providers

·  Public housing tenants

To read the full story, visit:

http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2011/pages/extrasupportforpensionersandselffundedretirees_10july2011.aspx

Interpreting Services for Aged Care Must be Extended to Disability Sector

Media Release, NEDA, 12 July 2011

The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) congratulates the Gillard Government on its initiative to make interpreting services available to help older people from non-English speaking backgrounds communicate on health and aged care matters.

The government data demonstrates that people from NESB make up 16 per cent of residents in residential aged care homes; it is estimated that by 2026, one in four people aged 80 and over will be from non-English speaking background.

Mr de la Torre , President of NEDA noted, ‘given that today already 1 in 4 people with disability are from NESB background, the logical conclusion must be that translation and interpreting services be made available to the disability sector also.’

Sibylle Kaczorek, Executive Officer of NEDA stated, ‘the fact that the Government recognises that communication barriers can mean that Australians from NESB may not receive timely care and support which can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased isolation surely applies equally to people with disability.’ ‘The timing of this announcement could not be better, given the Government’s new commitment to Multiculturalism and the work currently conducted by the Productivity Commission on Disability Care and Support, now offers the opportunity to ensure that people from NESB with disability are included through interpreting services.’

‘Productivity reporting on utilisation of existing disability services demonstrates over and again that people from NESB with disability under-utilise these services. The latest figures for 2008-2009 show an under-utilisation of 2 - 4 times for people from NESB as they relate to community access and support services, respite services and employment services’, Ms Kaczorek states

‘The ability to communicate in one’s preferred language and cultural awareness and competence are at the heart of access and inclusion. Without dedicated funding provisions for interpreting services and dedicated multicultural program strategies people from NESB with disability will remain marginalised’, Ms Kaczorek concludes.

For the full story, visit:

http://www.neda.org.au/page/neda_news.html

Government Releases Final Report on NFP Regulator

Pro Bono News, 5 July 2011

The Federal Government has released the final report on the scoping study for a national NFP regulator - opting for a single regulator for all Australian Not for Profits.

The announcement comes with the appointment of the Chair of the Implementation Taskforce for the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission, Susan Pascoe, the former Commissioner with the Victorian State Services Authority and former CEO of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria.

The Government has also released the exposure draft consultation paper on restating the 'in Australia' special conditions for tax exempt entities.

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten says the Implementation Taskforce will ensure the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission is ready for operation by 1 July 2012, consulting on a single general reporting framework and information portal requirements.

The Implementation Taskforce will also engage with state agencies to negotiate use of the portal as a 'one stop shop' for reporting to state agencies.

The Government will undertake a merit based selection process for the appointment of the Commissioner for the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission once legislation has been finalised.

The final report for the scoping study outlines the views put forward by stakeholders during consultation about the design for the ACNPC and makes recommendations on the direction of reforms to strengthen the NFP sector.

To read the full article, visit:

http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2011/07/govt-releases-final-report-nfp-regulator?utm_source=Pro+Bono+Australia+-+email+updates&utm_campaign=76e9c1b1a7-Weekly_News_Service_July_07_20117_7_2011&utm_medium=email

To read the scoping report, including all the recommendations, visit:

http://www.treasury.gov.au/contentitem.asp?NavId=035&ContentID=2054

EVENTS

Aids and Equipment AGM Invitation

When: / Wednesday 10 August 2011, 10:00am – 12:00noon
Where: / The Nerve Centre, 54 Railway Parade, Blackburn
Register: / Light lunch provided so RSVP your attendance for catering purposes to

You are invited to attend the Aids and Equipment Action Alliance (AEAA) Annual General Meeting to be followed by a General members meeting.

Associated documentation for the AGM including the AEAA Constitution, Strategic plan, a draft policy, nomination form and an agenda for the day can be requested via the email above.

Please note: nominations must be complete and received by the AEAA 7 days prior to the AGM. Nominations will not be accepted at the AGM unless an executive position has not already received a nomination.

Quality in Advocacy - Making It Happen

When: / 1-00 to 3-30 Thursday 21 July 2011 Join us for a light lunch @ 12-30
Where: / Gallery Room – Ground Floor Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St, Melbourne 3000
Register: / RSVP by Tuesday 19 July, via email or phone 9639 5807 and advise of any support or dietary requirements

This forum is hosted by VDAN and DARU.

The speakers’ panel has been finalised and includes:

·  Tim Wilmont, National Quality Framework DHS – One Standard

·  Michael Cromie, Manager, Capacity Building, Office for Disability

·  Andrea Simmons, CEO DANA

·  John Barnett, FACHSIA - A Commonwealth Perspective

·  Steve Doran, CEO, RIAC – Organisational experience

·  Carol Okai, EO, Assert for All - Organisational experience

This forum will focus attention on the Quality Frameworks which aims to improve outcomes for people with disabilities and its implications for advocacy agencies.What are some of the challenges, benefits in an already under-resourced sector.

Presentations from government representatives and two Disability Advocacy organisations will be followed by a general discussion and questions from the floor.

For more information and to download a flyer, visit:

http://www.daru.org.au/ecalendar/detail.chtml?filename_num=373065

Mobility Expo 2011

When: / Wednesday 17th August 2011, 10:00am – 3:00pm
Where: / Kingston Arts Centre, Banquet Room Gallery 2, 979 Nepean H’way Moorabbin
Cost: / Free entry

The aim of this expo is to raise awareness of transport and other services available to assist people to access their community

It provides an opportunity to see and talk to exhibitors from:

·  public transport, taxi and community volunteer transport providers

·  community organisations who support community access

·  manufacturers and distributors of wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility aids

·  vehicle conversion businesses

Display tables are still available for any organisation wishing to promote their services or run demonstrations. Exhibiting is free.

For more information contact Trans Access on 9575 5386 or email

To download a flyer, visit:

http://www.daru.org.au/ecalendar/detail.chtml?filename_num=373695

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Disability and Ageing: Lifelong Planning for a Better Future - Inquiry Report

Senate Community Affairs References Committee, Parliament of Australia, 6 July 2011

This report examines the planning options and services available now and in the future to assist people with a disability, and their carers, plan for the long-term. In particular, it seeks to assist carers to find an adequate answer to the question: 'What happens when I / we can no longer care?'

Evidence taken by the committee suggests that the challenges facing the disability sector are substantial and that the existing system is not operating effectively. People with disabilities, carers, service providers and governments all agreed that there are many inadequacies in the choice, funding and support options available for people with a disability.

Beyond this, witnesses have also suggested that the deficiencies in the disability service sector have produced a crisis-driven culture which fosters dependency and which limits innovation. It has produced circumstances where families have become accustomed to receiving low levels of support and where it has become commonplace for family members to care for a person with a disability until they are unable to do so. This suggests that while reform is clearly needed within the disability service sector, cultural change is also required, both within the bureaucracy and service sector, in order to establish planning cultures and behaviours that sustainably support people into the future.

Given that Australia is anticipating significant population ageing, which will be accompanied by a commensurate reduction in the availability of informal care and support, the committee is deeply concerned by evidence suggesting that little sustainable planning is taking place. Many carers are so consumed by their day-to-day caring role that they have not even begun to start thinking about planning. Others find the planning challenge considerable and need support to manage what is a complex and multifaceted task.

In the report the committee focuses on whole-of-life planning, rather than simply service planning. It documents why it is critical that whole-of-life planning take place before proceeding to consider some of the major practical barriers to planning, including: access to information, accommodation support, availability of respite, appropriateness of assessment tools, and the difficulty of navigating the disability / aged care interface.

To read the full report, visit:

http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/planning_options_people_ageing_with_disability_43/report/report.pdf

Family Voices Now Available

July 2011 Edition

Family Voices is the national publication of Children with Disability Australia (CDA), the national peak body which represents children and young people with disability and their families. The organisation is an advocacy body with a mandate of building respect, recognition and inclusion for children and young people with disability. The organisation works alongside families of children and young people with disability.

In this issue:

·  An interview with Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers

·  An update on the National Disability Insurance Scheme

·  An update on the advocacy work that CDA has been involved in to ensure that the needs of children and young people with disability are considered in the education system.

To obtain a copy, contact CDA on phone 03 9815 1094 or 1800 222 660 (interstate and regional callers) or email