ADDC welcomes the increase in aid funding of $530 million in 2010/11, and congratulates the Government in demonstrating its commitment to disability in development.

Disability was included as a New Budget Measure in the Government’s 2010-11 Budget announced on May 11 2020. 

The New Initiative ‘Disability – Fair Development Accessible to All’ of $30.2 million over four years is allocated for the disability specific activities set out in the ‘Development for All ‘strategy.

Two million of the new initiative has been allocated to disability-inclusive development for 2010-11, supplemented by $7.8 million from existing resources, making a total of $9.8 million for the upcoming financial year (above and beyond commitments to avoidable blindness).

Download Link – ADDC 2010 Budget Analysis

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>

ADDC Congratulates Government on Signing UN Disability Convention

The Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC) welcomes the announcement that Australia is one of the first western countries to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Download ADDC Press Release

Australia has today ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, making Australia one of the first Western countries to ratify the Convention. Australia joins 29 other countries around the world in a move that aims to promote a global community in which all people with disability are equal and active citizens.

Download Joint Press Release

20% of the world’s poorest have a disability

Chak from Cambodia. His story is featured in the ADDC Photographic Exhibition

ACT Senator Gary Humphries will launch the ADDC and the exhibition. Other key speakers at the launch will include The Hon Greg Hunt MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr Abdus Sattar Dulal, Executive Director of a leading Bangladesh disability NGO.

ADDC Coordinator, Paul Deany states, “Persons with disabilities are among the poorest of the poor. Their numbers are increasing due to conflict, malnutrition, natural disasters, disease and, above all, poverty.

Much more needs to be done to ensure disability is integrated into development policies and programs.

The Australian Disability and Development Consortium therefore aims to bring together the disability and development sectors in our region to focus attention and resources on disability in the developing world.”

Download ADDC Launch Press Release