A CLASS action may be launched on behalf of some of the state’s most vulnerable residents who are facing massive increases in the amount they have to pay to live in supported care.
Werribee’s Declan Lennon, 20, is among more than 50 people being represented by Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in an effort to overturn the state government’s controversial plan to increase board and lodging fees by 50 per cent – consuming 75 per cent of the disability support pension.
Mr Lennon’s parents say their son, who has an autism spectrum disorder, will be almost $6000 in the red after one year, factoring in taxi fees to and from his week-day education program and other costs.
He is unable to live at home because he is prone to violent mood swings and a risk to his parents and sisters.
The changes, which the government says will save $44 million over four years and funnel more money into support packages for people waiting for accommodation, will affect as many as 2500 families statewide.
Following a directions hearing last week, solicitor Viv Avery said the legal challenge urged VCAT to review the decision on the grounds it hadn’t been designed properly and that the fee hike was excessive.
“We’re asking VCAT to do a merits review and tell the department to re-do the decision,” he said.
“The main argument is for VCAT to look at how much is paid by residents in other services. Why would somebody pay the same amount if paint is peeling off their walls compared to a place that’s five-star with better conditions?”
Mr Avery hopes more families and advocates will come forward to fight the fee hike.
Mr Lennon’s father, Stephen, said the “mean-spirited” changes would strip people with disabilities of disposable income and prevent them from engaging in activities they enjoyed.
“They may as well open big institutions and psych hospitals and lock them up where they won’t have access to outside activities,” he said
The government claimed higher fees for state-run disability accommodation would ensure Victoria was on par with other states and in line with accommodation run by the community sector.
Spokesman Michael Moore said the average cost of supporting a resident was $128,000 a year.
“The new fees will bring the average contribution per resident for supported accommodation to approximately $17,500 per annum,” he said.
Mr Moore said residents unable to meet their basic daily living expenses could access the Department of Human Services’ hardship policy.
