For further information please contact the co-convenors:

Sue Harris & Su-Hsien Lee

convenor@cstdaalliance.org.au

The CSTDA (Commonwealth State and Territory Disability Agreement) is an Agreement between the Commonwealth Government and the State and Territory Governments which defines the administrative and funding responsibilities of the different levels of government for providing the support services that people with disabilities and their families need.

The first such agreement was signed in 1991, the second in 1998 and the third in 2003. This agreement is due to expire in June 2007, when it is expected that a fourth CSTDA will be signed. People with disability and their families have the right to the supports and services required to live a dignified life as valued members of our community. 

The CSTDA is the key vehicle through which Australia's Governments can provide a national framework of supports and services that meet the needs of people with disability and their families across Australia.

What is the National CSTDA Community Alliance?

People with disability, their families, organizations, disability sector representatives and supporters have come together to form the National CSTDA Community Alliance to take a stand for a fair go for people with disability and their families.

The next CSTDA:

Members of the CSTDA Alliance look to the governments of Australia to negotiate a CSTDA which adequately and effectively provides for people with disability and their families in Australia.

The next CSTDA must:

1. Reflect a genuine commitment from the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to people with disability and their families.
2. Demonstrate a commitment from the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to work in partnership.
3. Provide a detailed plan to resolve the unmet need for support services and a commitment of funding to achieve this.
4. Articulate a comprehensive national framework to provide supports and services into the future.
5. Ensure services that meet the individual needs of each person with a disability.
6. Foster full participation of people with disability in the community.
7. Guarantee, from the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, the increase in funding required to resolve the unmet need for support services and to ensure the adequate and effective provision of services into the future.

• It provides limited vision and no plan to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
• It falls well short of providing a comprehensive national framework that makes a positive
  difference to the lives of thousands of people with disability.
• There are inadequate measures in place to ensure good outcomes for people with
  disability.

These shortcomings result in an unacceptably heavy cost to people with disability and their
families, to government and to the taxpayer.

What the Alliance will do?

The National CSTDA Community Alliance will:

• Demonstrate the strength of support within the Australian community for a CSTDA which adequately and effectively provides for people with disability and their families.
• Provide a communication network for the sharing of information of relevance to the next CSTDA
• Provide an infrastructure to enable concerned citizens from around Australia to take a stand for a CSTDA which provides the supports and services that people with disabilities and their families need.