Disability income reform and service innovation : countering racial and regional discrimination

Since the early 2000s, the Australian Government has initiated a number of reforms across the disability sector which have largely involved procedural changes to the assessment of medical evidence and the eligibility criteria for the Disability Support Pension (DSP). While there are increasing anecdotal reports of these reforms influencing the overall number of claimants being granted the DSP, there is limited understanding of how service providers that support clients applying for the DSP have been affected by these reforms. This research pays particular attention to services working predominantly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in a regional North Queensland city, Townsville. The participants were professionals from employment agencies, health, disability and mental health services, community legal services and non-government agencies. Medical and other professionals found the new format and processes for completing medical reports time consuming and requested greater communication from the government regarding changes to DSP legislation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients experienced several barriers to fulfilling the assessment criteria, including financial costs to access all reasonable medical care and reports. This article illustrates the gap in support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients on Newstart Allowance (general unemployment benefit) awaiting the outcome of their DSP application, even though it is clear from their medical evidence that they are living with high levels of impairment, chronic conditions and disability.