Ms ELLIS (2:01 PM) —My question is to the Prime Minister and it concerns the more than three million Australians who have a disability on this International Day for People with a Disability. Is the Prime Minister aware that the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's report on unmet need for disability services found that 12,500 people with disabilities cannot get accommodation or respite services? In the light of the predictions by the institute, indicating continuing growth in demand for disability services over the next five years, why is the Commonwealth's offer for the next Commonwealth-State-Territory Disability Agree-ment less than half of the equivalent growth funding in the current agreement?

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —I thank the honourable member for her question. The offer that has been made by the Commonwealth represents a very significant advance on the existing arrangements. The new disability agreements have yet to be concluded because Senator Vanstone on our behalf has thus far not been able to obtain from the states an indication of how they will augment their contribution. As soon as that occurs, we can together move forward to provide more resources in relation to unmet need. I remind the honourable member that back in 1992, I think, an agreement was concluded between the former Commonwealth government and the state governments whereby employment services for people with disabilities were taken over by the Commonwealth and accommodation and other services were taken over by the states on the understanding that the Commonwealth would make a contribution of something I think—do not hold me to the exact figure—in the order of 20 per cent of the operating costs. That was an agreement that was made—and I am not criticising it—between the Keating government and the various state governments. Subsequent to that there have been, I think, two unmet need amounts contributed by the Commonwealth. We also put on the table recently a percentage increase on the existing funds and we have asked the states to let us know what they are willing also to put on the table. That is the situation. When they are forthcoming, we can move forward together, and I think that is what the Australian people want.