News
With the release of State budgets now concluded, many Australians living with disability have been left scratching their heads as not a single state has mentioned a figure for Foundational Supports, which are due to begin within the next six months.
Powerd Media went through the figures to find out exactly how governments are planning to roll out the much talked about and vitally needed Foundational Supports without any funding having been allocated to them.
Neither Western Australia nor Tasmania made any mention of Foundational Supports, although WA’s budget did acknowledge completing negotiations for health and disability funding reforms would be among the key priorities for the state.
The Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia budgets all reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of Foundational Supports, with the ACT Government outlining “provisions for both increased health funding and expenses for foundational supports based on estimates reflecting the current state of detailed negotiations.”
While the Northern Territory’s budget did allude to the roll out of Foundational Supports, it also questioned the financial toll the supports would take on the state.
In the absence of appropriate risk sharing and funding support from the Commonwealth, this may result in increased costs to the Territory that are not yet quantifiable
Northern Territory Budget Statement
When it came to New South Wales however, the state’s focus was on the new five-year National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA), which aims to improve health outcomes for all Australians.
Federal Minister for Health, Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler, explained in a press conference earlier today that all State Governments agreed to a long-term NHRA agreement for public hospitals to be tied to NDIS rules reform and the systematic development of Foundational Supports.
This means all State Governments must deliver on their commitment to funding Foundational Supports before the Federal Government will increase funding for public hospital systems.
The Minister of the NDIS also said States and Territories pledged a $5 billion dollar figure towards the development of Foundational Supports to be spread out over five years.
Treasuries will account for that in different ways…The shape of that expenditure over five years is still the subject of negotiation
Mark Butler
He claimed it wasn’t surprising not to see financial allocations within State budgets.
While all States’ attention remains on increases to hospital funding by the Federal Government alongside commitments to progress disability reforms, some advocates say it’s not good enough.
President of People with Disability Australia (PWDA), Trinity Ford, claims the financial cost of discrimination and exclusion is far higher than the costs associated with investing in inclusion.
Government has failed to deliver a clear and sustained investment in disabled lives in the 2025-26 Budget, the outcomes of which will be felt by all
Trinity Ford
The PWDA CEO believes the complete omission of any specific funding for Foundational Supports is a missed opportunity the disability community can’t afford.
“We are increasingly concerned that this may signal a deliberate move to sideline foundational supports from the Government’s agenda. We will be raising this urgently …and will be monitoring the Government’s position closely,” said Ms Ford.