Media Release by Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion

Employment opportunities for people with disability in Mascot

Up to 248 people with disability will enjoy a greatly improved working environment with the opening of a new facility in Mascot, Sydney, thanks to $400 000 in Australian Government funding.

The Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion today officially opened Disability Service Australia’s (DSA’s) new Mascot Business Service facility, which received funding under the Business Service Assistance Package.

‘The Australian Government is committed to a strong and viable business services sector and this new facility will provide further employment opportunities for people with disability in the local community,’ Senator Scullion said.

‘The new facility will enable DSA to expand its business services which include assembling flight cutlery sets and sorting headphones, as well as providing training and support to people with disability.

‘The funding committed to this new facility is part of the $99 million allocated by the Government in 2004 to improve individual business services. Through this, they were able to merge DSA’s Rockdale and Redfern centres to establish this new and improved Mascot site.

‘Services for people with disability, their families and carers continue to be high on the priority list for the Australian Government and the unveiling of this new facility is further evidence of that commitment.

‘All people with disability, where they are able, should be encouraged to participate in work and social life,’ Senator Scullion said.

The Australian Government recently announced a $100.9 million increased investment in employment services for people with disability which includes:

  • $21.6 million over five years for an extra 500 supported employment places in business services;
  • $31 million to continue targeted support to people with disability who cannot benefit from supported employment;
  • $21.8 million in viability support to assist business services in temporary crisis; and
  • $26.5 million in increased funding for disability services.