Villa Maria has a long tradition of advocacy; of drawing attention to the issues that face older people and people with a disability, as well as the capacity of service organisations to provide them with the supports they want and need.  

Over many years we, together with the sector peak bodies, have actively lobbied governments seeking much needed policy and sector reform, particularly in relation to issues of systemic underfunding, lack of appropriate indexation, user equity, service pricing and service gaps.

Sadly, these fundamental issues are no different from those flagged a decade ago. With state and federal elections being held this year, as well as the normal government budget cycles, now, more than ever, is the time to make governments listen and act.

The recently released third Intergenerational Report (IGR3), together with previous reports from the Productivity Commission and Senate enquiry into aged care, paints the case for the real and compelling need for government to reform aged care. Villa Maria, through the Aged Care Industry Council and Catholic Health Australia, is pushing for the government to create an environment that fosters a robust and sustainable aged care sector.

Aged & Community Services Australia’s “Can’t do it without you” and innovative “kevin87” campaigns seek to encourage more people to see aged care as a career of choice and for governments and media to focus their attention on positive outcomes for older Australians. You can add your active support by logging on to www.kevin87.com.au.

On 8 February, Executive Manager Service Integration, Kay Miller and I represented Villa Maria at a Community Cabinet Meeting, where I had the opportunity to raise the issue of chronic underfunding of disability services directly with the Victorian Premier, John Brumby and the Minister for Community Services, Lisa Neville. While I received a fairly standard reply, I took some heart from the fact that Minister Neville indicated they had the National Disability Insurance Scheme (a no-fault insurance scheme for everyone who has, or acquires, a significant disability: www.ndis.org.au) “under consideration.”

Anyone can attend and participate in a Community Cabinet; they are held around the state as a means for government to listen and respond to issues of importance to local communities. This is an opportunity for the Villa Maria community to use these forums to present the issue of access and adequate funding for both the disability and senior services sectors. Visit www.premier.vic.gov.au/community-cabinet for details.

The National Disability Services (NDS) Victoria “A Fair Go For All” campaign is also gaining momentum. A letter writing campaign is underway and NDS is calling on clients, carers, family members, support people, friends and disability professionals to “sign and send” letters to Members of Parliament to help support better outcomes for people with a disability. In particular, the campaign is asking for a $33 million increase in the next state budget to redress serious underfunding for out of home disability services, supported accommodation and day services. Visit www.nds.org.au/vic for further information.

Early Childhood Intervention Australia (Victorian Chapter) [ECIA (VC)] has launched its “Right from the Start” campaign in a bid to ensure all Victorian children realise their full potential. The campaign is seeking 500 additional ECIS places to reduce waiting list time; specific funding to enable families of children with developmental delays and disabilities to receive intensive information and support ‘right from the start’; and $19 million to provide a universal education guarantee. Further information about the “Right from the Start” campaign can be obtained from www.eciavic.org.au.

Let us hope that our collective advocacy over the course of 2010 changes the “what is” into a “what should be.”