Updated: 13 October 2008
Includes: Splitting HACC | SPPs | CSTDA | National reform Agenda
Since the start of 2008, as a result of a change in Government, there has been an increasing amount of change being proposed across Australia. Much of this is to be driven through COAG processes. This change is happening quickly and it can be difficult to stay in touch with what is happening.
As part of it’s commitment to keeping the sector informed and involved NCOSS has produced analyses of both the first and second COAG communiqués. We have attempted to assess what the announcements really mean (progress, no progress, more meetings of "working parties", possible distractions etc) for NSW.
NCOSS intends to continually update this information as more changes occur and more information becomes available.
Resources and downloads
Current Issues
Commonwealth Proposal that HACC should be Split!
Updated: 5 September 2008
Information on the proposed split of Home and Community Care Services (HACC) between the
Federal Government, (older people) and the States (people with
disabilities).
Background
In The Age on the 2 September 2008 it was announced that:
“Aged Care would become completely the Federal Government’s
responsibility and the disabled would come wholly under the states in a
sweeping revamp of roles proposed by the Rudd Government.
…The home-based services for the elderly that the Federal Government
would assume direct responsibility for include meals on wheels, nursing
care, personal care and domestic assistance, home maintenance,
transport and assessment.
…The current proposal, which involves dividing up the Home and
Community Care Program, is being developed as part of the Council of
Australian Governments reform agenda.
…The proposed date for the takeover of the other aged services is July
1, 2009.”
(Michelle Grattan, The Age, 2 September, 2008)
The split of Home and Community Care Services (HACC) between the
Federal Government, (older people) and the States (people with
disabilities), is not a new idea. It was previously proposed in 2005.
At that time, the NSW Aged Care Alliance, developed a report outlining
its position about the proposed split. This report outlines the
advantages/disadvantages of splitting or not splitting HACC.
The NSW
Aged Care Alliance recommended that any change to the existing
arrangements must deliver guaranteed qualitative and quantitative
improvements to the provision of services and supports to older people,
people with disabilities and carers across Australia and in NSW in
particular, before a re-distribution of funding and program
responsibilities between Commonwealth and state jurisdictions is
implemented.
Consequently, the Alliance’s position was that until
improvements could be guaranteed, both Commonwealth and state levels of
government should maintain joint responsibility and accountability for
the provision of aged care and community care programs and services.
A
decision about this proposal will be made at the next Coalition of
Australian Government (COAG) meeting on 2nd October.
Resources
COAG and the National Reform Agenda
Updated: 26 August 2008
Following the election of the Rudd Labor Government in November last
year, much work is being done by both the Federal and State/Territory
Governments on what is being called the National Reform Agenda. This
work is happening mainly through the Council of Australian Governments
(COAG) processes. There is a great deal of work being done about the
appropriate roles and responsibilities for each tier of Government and
how governments working together can better deliver services.
There are significant implications and opportunities for the community sector from this process.
To assist the sector in understanding the National Reform Agenda and
its implications, the COSS Network, lead by ACOSS, has developed a
Discussion Paper for the sector.
We are seeking your feedback on the matters raised in the discussion
paper which will allow us to further develop a broad sector wide
position on the issues of importance to the community sector.
Feedback is welcome, either to:
- ACOSS
email:
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- Alison Peters, Director, NCOSS
email:
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CSTDA (Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement)
Updated: 20 July 2007
The Commonwealth State Territory Disability
Agreement, CSTDA, is a joint five year Agreement between the Australian
Government and the governments of the states and territories about the
provision of funding to support people with disabilities. The third
CSTDA ended on 30 June 2007 and negotiations have been extended for six
months. However many in the NSW disability sector have serious concerns.
Download
Joint Position Statement: Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement
Information
- Christine Regan
NCOSS Senior Policy Officer
phone: 9211 2599, ext 117
fax: 9281 1968
email:
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Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs)
Updated: 13 March 2008
Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs) are grants provided by
the Commonwealth government to the States and Territories for specific
purposes (as differentiated from those provided for general purposes).
There are many SPPs that affect funding for health programs, including
those provided by community and non-government organisations.
NCOSS,
Women’s Health NSW, ACON, MHCC, MHA NSW Inc, Family Planning NSW, NAAH,
Hepatitis C Council and NADA have endorsed a position statement on the
reform of SPPs and health funding to NSW.
Download
Position Paper: Reform of SPPs and health funding to NSW
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