Special Disability Trusts were introduced by the Commonwealth Government in 2006 to allow private financial provision for the current or future accommodation and care of a family member with a severe disability, without being affected by social security rules on means testing or gifting. To encourage greater take up, from 1 July 2009 the Government will extend the capital gains tax main residence exemption to include a residence that is owned by a Special Disability Trust and used by the relevant beneficiary as their main residence. In addition any unexpended income of a Special Disability Trust will now be taxed at the beneficiary’s personal income tax rates, rather than the highest marginal tax rate, starting from the 2008-09 financial year. The Australian Government is reviewing all recommendations from the Senate Committee, including broadening eligibility to make it easier for people to establish Special Disability Trusts.

More information on these measures is contained in the Fact Sheets available online at: www.fahcsia.gov.au.

The first edition of Lifestart’s new e-zine was broadcast today in a special ‘thank you’ edition for supporters of Kayak for Kids. The e-zine has been set up primarily to electronically distribute our Expressions newsletter each term, but will also periodically provide news about Lifestart events. You can download a copy of our special Kayak for Kids Expressions from this site. If you would like to receive future e-zines, please email your name to christophercummings@lifestart.org.au to be added to our broadcast list.

Lifestart is continuing upskilling staff in presntation of the Hanen program. Arbel Mordoch, Speech Pathologist at Lifestart Eastern Sydney, recently completed Hanen ‘It Takes Two To Talk’ training and will now run a Hanen traing program for parents commencing July. This training course is funded by the City of Sydney and is for parents who reside or work in the City of Sydney LGA only. Congratulations to Arbel on completing her training and good luck to those families attending the course.

It’s all happening on June 12th 2009 at the Hornsby RSL Club. The Lifestart Charity Poker Competition promises to be a very exciting event.  Test your poker skills on the night and you could win a ticket to the Wild Turkey Grand Slam! at the Crown Casino in Melbourne on the 24 and 25th of August. Plus there will be auctions, raffles and special prizes. For all the details visit our Lifestart events page.