Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

I reiterate what I said in part of my initial answer, which was quite clear. In terms of the three agreements, this is a partnership approach. It is an amicable agreement. Announcements in terms of that partnership approach will be made shortly. In terms of the so-called ‘raiding’ of the extra funds that the Commonwealth put in, the $1.8 billion will not be directly spent on the state and territory governments; quite the contrary. We are engaging with all the NGOs and all the service providers across the disability community in order to ensure that those dollars are spent in the very best way. Frankly, the inability of the Labor governments to provide for this is frustrating. Again, the simple message is this: we need strong leadership, which the Howard government gives, instead of the weak leadership that is provided by the Labor governments.