Disability organisations in Tasmania are facing closure as funding cuts take their toll, leaving the state’s most vulnerable people without essential support.
Autism Tasmania and Disability Voices Tasmania are among the organisations set to shut their doors, Greens Disability Services spokesperson Cecily Rosol says.
“The Federal Government’s failure to fund disability organisations will see critical advocacy and support services shut their doors after today,” she said.
“For things to get to this, is an indictment on both Federal Labor and the State Liberals.”
Rosol said the closures would be a “devastating loss” for Tasmanians with a disability who rely on these organisations not only for support, but also advocacy.
“Disability Voices Tasmania are a clear voice, lobbying and where necessary criticising governments. Without them, so many Tasmanians will be silenced,” she said.
“Autism Tasmania is our peak body for autistic people and their families. If they cease to operate, Tasmania will be the only state without one. It’s shameful.”
Labor’s Shadow Minister for Health Ella Haddad said the closures were a result of the “Liberal-Lambie budget disaster”.
“Disability Voices Tasmania … made a desperate plea to Minister Jo Palmer for funding and it’s imperative that the Minister comes to the table with the funding required to keep the organisation going,” she said.
“The state government signed a pledge before the election to provide state-based funding to Autism Tasmania of $300,000 a year for three years, an election commitment they now seem to be walking away from.”
Minister for Disability Services Jo Palmer said she planned to raise the Autism Tasmania matter with the federal NDIS minister in Canberra this week.
