Mr WILKIE (3:44 PM) —I am particularly pleased to accept the opportunity to address the House today about a matter that affects the lives of many Australians. I must say that this is one of the very rare occasions where I agree with a member of this government on an issue. Providing for carers and the disabled is not a complicated concept; it is simply a matter of decency. It is about compassion from a society in which many of us enjoy life and its rewards every day in simple and tangible ways, but we must remember that some do not. Protecting and nurturing those who cannot enjoy those pleasures to the same extent as many of us while providing for their needs is the measure of a truly mature society. Let us not forget the lives of those who silently care and nurture people with disabilities. The dedication and attention exercised by some means giving up everything so that they can care and provide for those less fortunate.

But it is here that I differ in my opinions from those of the government member. Let us not deceive ourselves. The needs of these people and their carers require both a moral and a financial consideration. As a matter of research, my office contacted support agencies in Western Australia to verify the sorts of obligations carers of those with disabilities have to cater for. To start with, domestic modifications of the home often begin at around $20,000. Then we include transport modifications at some $3,500. This may entail a special purpose vehicle—try $25,000-plus. Personal modifications generally entail expenditure on beds, bathrooms, chairs and hoists. These can add a further burden of well over $8,000. These are obviously expensive items, and we have not even considered daily living expenses and medications.

It is all too easy to say, `Look, I empathise,' that is all well and good, but let us look at some of the other issues that are involved. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's report, which documents the extent of the needs of people with disabilities and those working in this field, has been noted by this House. It indicates that over 13,000 people aged between five and 64 have not had their assistance needs fulfilled in self-care, mobility and verbal communication. Furthermore, almost 39,000 require some form of employment services to be provided as a priority. The report continues by highlighting the plight of those not currently receiving day programs. There were 12,000 people aged 18 to 64 in this category that fell through the Commonwealth-State Disability Agreement net.

Members of the House might have listened to my speech the other night about the Gotti family of Victoria Park. The family has a disabled son, Ben. As Ben gets older and heavier, the Gottis get older. What will happen to the family in 20 years time? The situation currently is that an estimated 7,700 people with a severe or profound handicap have principal carers who are over 65 years of age, not to mention those with mild disabilities. Whilst not over 65, this will be a future problem for the Gotti family. For many others, it is also a problem dawning on the horizon.

We must make a firm and unified decision to say to these people, `We will help.' I fear, however, that the current government's policy, if continued, will be a portent of future hardship. I say this because no clear and firm decisions are being made to fully satisfy the needs of carers. As recently as 12 May, Senator Chris Evans asked the question:

Isn't it true that the government's offer of just $20 million for respite care assistance means that only 900 of the 13,400 families you have identified as currently in desperate need of respite care for their child with a disability will receive any assistance at all? How will the government decide which families are to receive this paltry assistance provided in the budget?

I could not be satisfied with the reply of Senator Newman. The government says that they need $300 million now. The government's own report, which it has had for two years, has identified $300 million of unmet need. As Senator Evans illustrated, next year it will all be okay. The government is saying, `Here are some crumbs; here are some programs that will address some of the concerns that will be introduced on 1 July 2000.' What happens until then to those people doing it tough? They will have to wait. If they have child-care needs, if they have a disabled child who needs assistance, they will just have to wait.

We have had two budgets in which the minister could have provided assistance to address these problems. But what has been allocated? Just $20 million to meet a $300 million need. The people who care for people with disabilities say that it is paltry and pathetic—and, frankly, I agree. I conclude by reiterating that I am happy to cooperate in any way with the government to assist those with disabilities and their carers.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl) —Order! The time allotted for this debate has expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.