Function

• The act's primary purpose is to give broad power to the minster of health to spend funds on disability groups, including (as specifically mentioned by the act) psychiatric disability services. It is the duty of Parliament to specifically appropriate funds for disability services; this act makes it clear that the minster oversees this spending.
  
  

Oversight

• The oversight of the minister's spending power is the responsibility of the Administrative Decisions Tribunal. The act lists what type of decisions the tribunal can hear, including decisions that involve terminating financial assistance because of this act.
  
  

History

• The act was originally passed in 1993. Because of the extensive nature of the act, it mandated a repeal of previous legislation, including a complete repeal of the Disability Services and Guardianship (Provision of Services) Regulation of 1989.