WA:Barnett cautious over disability scheme

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2011
WA:Barnett cautious over disability scheme

Western Australia's Premier COLIN BARNETT says his state won't back a national disability
insurance scheme, if it is, what he calls, another clumsy commonwealth attempt at take-over
of state funding.

His warning follows Prime Minister JULIA GILLARD's announcement that Canberra will
commit 10 million dollars towards work to establish a national disability insurance scheme.

The announcement was in response to a recommendation by the Productivity Commission,
that a scheme costing $6.5 billion a year should be rolled out gradually from mid 2014.

Currently the Commonwealth provides about $2.3 billion in annual funding to the disability
sector while state and territory governments contribute about $4.7 billion.

Mr BARNETT says his state will keep an open mind on the plan, but says he won't dismantle
the state's funding scheme for disability services.

AAP RTV jsj/wz

KEYWORD: DISABILITY WA (PERTH)

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.