Funding to help employ Victorians with disability

Two Victorian business services which employ people with disability will receive a boost of more than $240,000 from the Australian Government under the Business Services Assistance Package (BSAP).

Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion today announced the additional funding, while visiting Outlook Inc in Pakenham with local member Russell Broadbent.

‘Outlook Inc will receive funding of over $155,000 for its recycling and waste management business. They will use the funding to purchase a grab excavator for their recycling site -Outlook Environmental.

‘Funding of almost $89,000 has been awarded to Ivanhoe Diamond Valley Centre Inc to boost its YESS Industries arm which has expanded into a new business of manufacturing sleeping bags and quilts.

‘YESS will use part of the funding for relocation costs and equipment. They will also use the funding to identify possible joint ventures in the northern region of Victoria and to document the process in a case study for other business services wishing to follow this approach.
‘Both businesses have already received funding under the Business Services Assistance Package (BSAP) which helps services to continue supporting people with disability in the employment sector.

‘BSAP aims to provide practical assistance to business services to increase their long-term viability and their ability to pay award-based wages.

‘Over 220 business services have received financial assistance through the $99 million Security Quality Services and Choice for People with a Disability measure announced in April 2004.

‘This additional funding not only helps people with disability with their employment needs, but also assists the services to run as viable businesses,’ Senator Scullion said.