Victorian Disability Minister, Lizzie Blandthorn, has launched an extraordinary attack on her federal Labor counterparts, highlighting a breakdown in communication at the worst possible time.
Commenting on the breakdown between the state and federal governments in resolving the plight of almost 2000 Victorians with profound disability who are facing being left homeless on January 1, the Minister accused her federal counterparts of not meeting with state Ministers and making announcements without consultation.
In Parliament, Ms Blandthorn said: "Sadly, I will take the opportunity to say that the Commonwealth has not bothered in recent times to actually call a meeting of the Disability Reform Ministerial Council and is out there announcing things like Thriving Kids without actually even talking to those who are the co-governors of the scheme, and it is extremely frustrating."
Shadow Minister for Disability, Ageing, Carers and Volunteers, Tim Bull, said it pointed to an alarming breakdown between state and federal Labor when our most vulnerable need support.
"We have a situation where the most profoundly disabled in the state are facing homelessness due to a funding stand-off between the two levels of Labor government,'' Mr Bull said.
"This on-going commentary gives families little hope matters will be resolved.
"They need to put their grievances aside and act in the best interests of those needing certainty about their futures."
Almost 2000 Victorians with profound disabilities will have their supported independent living homes closed by January 1 when 'transition funding' from the state (that allowed the group homes to operate), runs out.
Minister Blandthorn said she did not intend to provide an extension, leaving the residents facing homelessness.
In 2018, the state Labor government announced five organisations would take over Victoria's former government-run disability group homes as part of the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
NDIS funding left a shortfall in running costs for homes in Victoria, and the state agreed to 'transition funding' to fill the gap while the matter was resolved. Seven years later it hasn't been sorted.
The five providers - Aruma, Scope, Life Without Barriers, Melba Support Services and Possability - have now issued a joint statement confirming that when the "transition funding runs out, they will not be able to continue current services".
Mr Bull said it is disgraceful that the state and federal governments have not resolved this by now, given they have had years to do so.
"I call on the state minister to end the uncertainty facing these families and agree to be part of the solution, particularly in the short term," Mr Bull said.
