The Australian Disability & Development Consortium, together with ACFID, is holding a luncheon event at Parliament House, Canberra to

• Celebrate the launch of the World Report on Disability
• Acknowledge the foundation of disability-inclusive practices laid by Mr McMullan
• Launch the new edition of the Development Bulletin
• Learn key practical ways Australia can continue to build on these
• Commit to Australia’s ongoing leadership in disability-inclusive practices

Link for further information: Web file- All for Development- Disability Inclusion in Action

ADDC, in partnership with CBM Australia, ACFID and PWD hosted a parliamentary breakfast on November 17th 2010 to promote disability inclusive development within the Australian Aid program.

Drawing attention to the needs of people with disabilities has been timely with the Government announcement of an independent review of the effectiveness of aid earlier this week.

The breakfast was well attended as noted by the Hon Kevin Rudd MP “…there is a very solid roll out from both sides of the aisle and from both houses of parliament ….. it’s great to see this level of roll out in political support across the spectrum for what is an important mission in Australia’s name”.

In his opening address, Mr. Rudd drew attention to the importance of Australia’s foreign aid and development programs. He acknowledged the efforts of many NGO’s in their efforts to ensure that people with disability are included in development programs and referred to the leadership Australia has demonstrated with the implementation of the’ Development For All: towards a disability-inclusive of Australian Aid Program 2009 to 2014’. He encouraged NGO’s to continue to ensure that ‘those with disabilities in developing countries have a proper international voice.’

The Government has committed to raising ODA to 0.5% of GNI by 2015 and Mr. Rudd assured the group they are on track and called for bipartisan support.

The breakfast was also addressed by Hon Therese Gambaro MP, Graeme Innes, the Australian Disability Commissioner; Jack de Groot, CEO Caritas; Jim Stallard, advocate and author; and Dimity Fifer, CEO AVI.

Borrowing Mr. Rudd’s closing statement, the joint efforts of ADDC and partnering NGO’s will “Continue to prod Government (us) effectively, but gently, so that we do more and do it more effectively together and bring about a material change to a better human kind”.

Download: Media Release - ADDC On Aid Review

Source: Bill Shorten MP

Joint Press Release

Kevin Rudd – Prime Minister, Jenny Macklin – Minister for Community Services

Kevin Rudd - PM

The Productivity Commission will investigate new approaches for funding and delivering long-term disability care and support.

Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, announced the inquiry at the National Disability Awards ceremony in Parliament House.

The inquiry forms part of the Australian Government’s ten year National Disability Strategy being developed with State and Territory Governments and the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council.

Jenny Macklin - Minister for Community Services

The Productivity Commission inquiry will examine the costs and benefits of replacing the current system of disability services with a new approach which provides long-term essential care and support for people with severe or profound disabilities however acquired.

The inquiry will examine a range of options for long-term care and support including consideration of whether a no-fault social insurance approach to disability is appropriate in Australia. It will also examine if a scheme would fit with Australia’s health, aged care, income support and injury insurance systems.

These are complex issues that require rigorous analysis, design and costing. The feasibility study will assess whether a long-tem care and support scheme would be appropriate, practical and economically responsible in the Australian context.

The Productivity Commission will consult widely and will be assisted by an associate commissioner with specialist disability expertise. An independent panel of experts will also be established to advise the Productivity Commission and Government during the Inquiry. The Australian Government will appoint the associate commissioner and the independent panel of experts shortly.

The Productivity Commission will report to Government in July 2011.

More Information>