DSC Privatisation Tactics Questioned

A scathing story published in The Australian today outlines the upsetting situation many families with loved ones in Disability Services Commission supported accommodation are now finding themselves in.  

The threats and underhanded tactics described in the article are appalling. 

Toni Walkington, the Branch Secretary of the CPSU/CSA, the Union covering Social Trainers said “Our members work with people with disabilities in the Commission’s supported accommodation services. They are deeply committed to the people with disabilities they work with and their families.  

“For too long, our members working with the Commission have raised concerns about the forced privatisation process.

“Our members have argued that the people with disabilities they work with have not been asked how they want to live as part of the process, they have raised concerns about how the movement of staff is having an impact on the people they work with and they have argued for longer and more appropriate handovers. All of this has fallen on deaf ears.”

“Hundreds of West Australian families have said they choose to stay with the Disability Services Commission as their loved ones’ accommodation provider.  Every family who had the option to stay with the Disability Services Commission has exercised that option. 

“The transition process is often heartbreaking for our members as they struggle to deal with their own grief and the grief of families and people with disabilities who are being forcibly privatised.  

“We are aware that a number of families have lodged complaints against the Disability Services with the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Ombudsman in relation to the forced privatisation process. 

“We welcome Labor’s support to stop this unfair privatisation,” she said. 

AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT: 
Toni Walkington, CPSU/CSA Secretary 

MORE INFORMATION:
Gemma Walsh, Media Liaison
M: 0421 934 794