DRAFT SUBMISSION TO THE PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION INQUIRY INTO DISABILITY CARE AND SUPPORT

Together, the Local Government Association and the Shires Association represent all the 152 NSW general-purpose councils, the special-purpose county councils and the regions of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. The mission of the Associations is to be credible, professional organisations representing Local Government and facilitating the development of an effective community-based system of Local Government in NSW. In pursuit of this mission, the Associations represent the views of councils to NSW and Australian Governments; provide industrial relations and specialist services to councils and promote Local Government to the community and the media. The Associations thank the Productivity Commission for the invitation to make a submission to the inquiry into Disability Care and Support. As key operators and supporters of Home and Community Care (HACC) services, as providers of accommodation services for people with a disability and managers of the local environments enjoyed by people with a disability, Local Government (as represented by the Associations) has a vital interest in the role, functions and administration of future arrangements for the care of people with a disability. Local Government recognises that people with a disability have a right to quality facilities and services that enable them to live and fully participate in their communities, based on the social justice principles of equity, rights, participation and access