Federal Government unveils $72 million partnership with Baptcare and Mission Australia

TWO new service providers will deliver frontline help to more than 30,000 South Australians living with a disability under a multi-million dollar deal to be announced on Sunday.

TWO new service providers will deliver frontline help to more than 30,000 South Australians living with a disability under a multi-million dollar deal to be announced on Sunday.

Less than a week after the State Government and disability advocates warned of a looming crisis with the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Federal Government will today unveil a $72 million partnership with Baptcare and Mission Australia.

From March, Baptcare will receive $25 million over three years to deliver services in the Eastern Adelaide, Western Adelaide and the Yorke-Mid North regions. Mission Australia will work across the state including in the Limestone Coast, Southern Adelaide and Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island regions in a $47.3 million deal.

Social Services Minister Dan Tehan said the announcement was an “important milestone” for the state’s transition and urged all levels of government to work together.

“Baptcare and Mission Australia are two experienced and respected organisations that have existing community connections and infrastructure which will allow them to quickly scale up across South Australia,” he said.

The announcement comes just days after South Australian Disabilities Minister Katrine Hildyard blamed the Federal Government for administrative shortfalls and demanded the Coalition fix nine key problems with the NDIS.

“Implementing the National Disability Insurance Scheme should be above such childish behaviour and hopefully this announcement will demonstrate to Minister Hildyard that I am serious about working with state and territory governments in a co-operative manner and putting people with disability first,” Mr Tehan said.

“The number of people accessing support is expected to grow from 17,000 to 32,300 people in South Australia.”