A SEA of hearts will descend on Bathurst Panthers on Tuesday as local disability services workers join a statewide campaign arguing for better protection for the state’s most vulnerable citizens.
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The Public Service Association action coincides with Valentine’s Day and union officials say the sea of hearts signifies a call for Premier Gladys Berejiklian “to show she has one”.
It comes as the NSW Government continues to plans to privatise the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) to make way for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
But, the PSA claims, massive funding shortfalls with the NDIS make it imperative the NSW Government continue to offer disability services to those with the highest needs.
PSA general secretary Stewart Little, himself a former disability services worker, said the NSW Government was “washing its hands of all responsibility and walking away”.
“NSW will be the only state in Australia with no government safety net, throwing the care of people with disability into free fall,” Mr Little said.
“Many will land heavily in the state’s hospitals, mental health facilities and even the criminal justice system, areas lacking expertise in specialist disability care.
“The abolition of ADHC – the biggest disability provider in this state – could mean the loss of 14,000 dedicated workers and disaster for the families and people they care for.”
The Bathurst demonstration on Tuesday has been timed to coincide with the Sydney rally, starting at 11.30am.
