00:00For 80 years Bedford industry has supported workers with disabilities, but the 1,650 strong
00:09workforce including 1,400 workers with disabilities is facing an uncertain future, with Bedford
00:16Industries announcing it expects to go into voluntary administration on Sunday.
00:21It's obviously a very distressing time, they don't know if they're going to cease being
00:25paid at some point really soon and what it will mean for their entitlements.
00:29In a statement Bedford says the decision came after long discussions with its bank and the
00:34state and federal governments.
00:36The CEO Myron Mann says the organisation remains committed to supporting its clients, residents
00:42and staff during this challenging time and that it's a devastating situation with vast
00:48personal impact.
00:49They're almost too big to fail so it is a pretty worrying time.
00:55I think it's a symptom though of where the disability sector is at.
01:00The federal government says Bedford has received about 43 million dollars in NDIS funding since
01:07April 2024 adding in a statement its thoughts are with all of Bedford's employees and those
01:13who rely on its services for their care and support.
01:16It says the Australian government's been supporting South Australia's discussions with Bedford in
01:22recent weeks.
01:23South Australia's Premier Peter Malinowskis said in a statement his government has been
01:27in cooperative discussions with Bedford for weeks regarding its financial situation and
01:33he'll be meeting with the organisation tomorrow.
01:36The United Workers Union is blaming NDIS funding for impacting the disability sector.
01:41It has provided such an unstable income source for disability providers, they have no surety
01:50to be able to make sure that they can put all the things in place for an organisation to
01:54be able to function.
01:55Bedford workers left hoping a last minute rescue plan can be delivered.
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