Inquiry into Special Disability Trusts
Terms of Reference
Download terms of reference (PDF 24KB)
Part 3.18A of the Social Security Act 1991 - Private
financial provision for certain people with disabilities - referred to in
the terms of reference is available at this link (PDF 53KB)
On 15 May 2008 the
Senate referred matters relating to special disability trusts to the
Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 18 September 2008:
- The
Senate:
- notes:
- the inclusion in 2006 of Part 3.18A – Private financial provision for
certain people with disabilities – to the Social Security Act 1991 to enable the establishment of special disability trusts, and
- that since the introduction of Part 3.18A and to 31 December
2007 only 22 trusts have been established; and
- recognises the potential benefits that special disability trusts
can deliver for those living with a disability, but is concerned that
there remain barriers to the establishment of special disability trusts
that are limiting their wider beneficial application.
- The
following matters relating to special disability trusts be referred to the
Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 18 September 2008:
- why more
families of dependents with disabilities are not making use of the current
provisions to establish Special Disability Trusts;
- the
effectiveness of Part 3.18A of the Social Security Act 1991;
- barriers
in the relevant legislation to the establishment of Special Disability
Trusts; and
- possible
amendments to the relevant legislation.
Written submissions are
invited and should be addressed to:
The Secretary
Senate Community Affairs Committee
PO
Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Closing date for the
receipt of submissions is 13 June 2008.
The Committee prefers to receive submissions
electronically as an attached document - email:
community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au
Submissions become Committee documents and
are made public only after a decision by the Committee. Publication of
submissions includes loading them onto the internet and their being
available to other interested parties including the media. Persons making
submissions must not release them without the approval of the Committee.
Submissions are covered by parliamentary privilege but the unauthorised
release of them is not protected.
Following consideration of submissions, the
Committee will hold public hearings. The Committee will consider all
submissions and may invite individuals and organisations to give evidence
at the public hearings.
Information relating to
Senate Committee inquiries, including notes to assist in the preparation
of submissions for a Committee, can be located on the internet at
https://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm
For further details contact the Committee
Secretary, Phone: (02) 6277 3515, Fax: (02) 6277 5829.
E-mail:
community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia