Terms of Reference

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:

  1. The Senate:
    1. notes:
      1. 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
      2. that since the introduction of Part 3.18A and to 31 December 2007 only 22 trusts have been established; and
    2. 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.
  2. The following matters relating to special disability trusts be referred to the Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 18 September 2008:
    1. why more families of dependents with disabilities are not making use of the current provisions to establish Special Disability Trusts;
    2. the effectiveness of Part 3.18A of the Social Security Act 1991;
    3. barriers in the relevant legislation to the establishment of Special Disability Trusts; and
    4. 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

Phone: +61 2 6277 3515
Fax: +61 2 6277 5829
Email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au