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Voice Your Concerns About Supported Accommodation In The Latrobe Valley

It is time for Gippslanders affected by the lack of supported accommodation to tell the Brumby Government about their experiences, Member for Morwell Russell Northe said today.

By The Nationals - 24th October 2008 - Back to News

Earlier this year, the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition was successful in obtaining a Parliamentary review into supported accommodation.

Next week Latrobe Valley residents will have their say about the status of supported accommodation for people with a disability or mental illness, with sessions in Traralgon and Morwell.

"After years of inaction by this Labor Government, I encourage families to speak out publicly to achieve change for those stuck on or unable to get access to the waiting list," Mr Northe said.

The Family and Community Development Committee hearings will be held on Tuesday 21 October at:

• The Premier Function Centre, Traralgon from 9am -11am; and
• Kernot Hall, Morwell from 1pm – 2.30pm.

Members of the public are invited to attend and listen to the evidence presented. Disability and Mental Health service providers will present to the committee in Traralgon and families, carers and individuals will have opportunity to speak at the Gippsland Carers Association Forum in Morwell.

Mr Northe said there are currently 1,358 people[1] on the waiting list for disability accommodation in Victoria. The Victorian Auditor-General has forecast a blowout in the number of people seeking disability accommodation to 2,500 within eight years.

"Accommodation for people with a mental illness is just as hard to find, with 46 per cent[2] of acute beds blocked because of a lack of discharge options," he said.

The Morwell MP praised the efforts of local groups such as the Gippsland Carers Association and Barrier Breakers who advocate tirelessly for affected Gippslanders.

"The Brumby Government has failed to invest in supported accommodation, placing many individuals and families under immense stress.

"If you are affected by the failure of the State Labor Government to provide appropriate supported accommodation, now is the time to make your views known," Mr Northe said.

For further information visit http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc or call the Family and Community Development Committee on (03) 8682 2843.

[1]www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability/supports_for_people/information,_planning_and_advocacy/how-we-provide-services-to-people

[2] Boston Consulting Group, Improving Mental Health Outcomes in Victoria: The Next Wave of Reform, 2006

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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