Nation’s second largest disability employer remains open ending months of uncertainty for South Australians

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A new buyer is stepping in to save South Australian disability employment provider Bedford ending months of uncertainty. The proposed sale which is subject to creditor approval would mean the nation's second largest disability employer will remain open for business.

Transcript

00:00It's welcome news for many.

00:04We have secured a new buyer for Bedford.

00:11The Premier announcing not-for-profit the Disability Trust

00:14is the preferred buyer of troubled disability

00:17employment provider Bedford.

00:19We will protect what matters the most,

00:21familiar routines, trusted relationships

00:24and meaningful work.

00:26It means more than 800 supported employees

00:28with a disability will keep their jobs.

00:31Keep me happy and keep me pleased.

00:34These guys love doing what they do

00:37and what it now provides is like a steady future.

00:39These guys will be able to come and be with their friends now every day.

00:43Bedford was facing administration in July

00:46before the state government offered a $15 million loan

00:50and land purchase deal.

00:52The federal government later kept doors open

00:54with an injection of almost $4.5 million.

00:58The last few months have been so anxious

01:01not knowing whether or not we had a future here.

01:03As part of the sale,

01:05the state government is gifting $6 million of crown land

01:09on Bedford's Panorama site.

01:11The federal government is also pouring in

01:13an additional $13.2 million to sweeten the deal.

01:17In a statement, Bedford said its board had endorsed

01:20the proposed sale of its operations,

01:23describing the disability trust as a like-minded organisation,

01:26which will provide stability and continuity

01:29for South Australians living with a disability.

01:32Bedford will now enter voluntary administration

01:35and creditors who are owed money

01:37will have the final say on the sale.

01:40There's a full-time celebration.

01:41I have a full-time celebration.

01:42I

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