Link February 2017 Volume 26 Issue 1 | Page 12

BSWAT ruling announced
industry reform agenda for national conference
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BSWAT ruling announced
The Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services , The Hon Jane Prentice , said a decision made recently by the Federal Court is good news for eligible supported employees .
On December 16 the Federal Court approved the settlement of the class action brought by a supported employee of an Australian Disability Enterprise ( ADE ) in relation to the use of the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool ( BSWAT ) and the wages subsequently paid .
BSWAT is no longer in use and the Australian Government has contributed $ 173 million to help the supported employment sector work towards new wage arrangements for supported employees currently working in ADEs .
The Court ’ s ruling means the class action has now ended , and the BSWAT Payment Scheme will enable eligible employees and former employees to receive payments .
Approximately 10,000 supported employees with intellectual impairment will be eligible to receive a one-off payment through the BSWAT Payment Scheme .
“ Payments will take into account taxation , and will not generally affect Centrelink payments . This is only possible because the Government established the BSWAT Payment Scheme Act ,” Ms Prentice said .
In the Federal Court ’ s ruling , Justice North noted that the BSWAT Payment Scheme was fair and reasonable .
“ We know that many people have been waiting for the class action to settle before registering for the scheme and we encourage anyone who thinks they may eligible to lodge an application for payment ,” Ms Prentice said . “ It is important that people affected are paid fairly .”
To check your eligibility and apply for the BSWAT Payment Scheme , visit the DSS website . Employees must register by 30 April 2017 to be considered for payment under the Scheme .
industry reform agenda for national conference
‘ Human Rights and Social Justice : Shifting Client Control ’ will be the theme of the Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia ( ADA ) conference in the Gold Coast from March 23 to 24 .
With a program that features aged care , disability and guardianship leaders , the conference has been designed to inspire participants to consider their role in empowering a client cohort who have been historically disempowered .
ADA Australia CEO Geoff Rowe said the conference was the first of its kind for both the organisation , and Australia . He said ongoing aged care reforms and the rollout of the NDIS meant the expectations of those requiring support and assistance would increase significantly , compounding the need for services to be engaged and responsive to the new norm of client control .
“ Now , more than ever , it is crucial that aged care providers , community groups , advocates , legal entities , and disability support workers have access to world-class education and ongoing support ,” he said .
“ This conference will challenge delegates to take notice of the opportunity before us .
Mr Rowe said the conference would explore a range of pressing issues , including human rights and diversity , elder abuse , human rights in action , ageism , and choice and control in Indigenous communities .
adaaustralia . com . au
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