APC chief executive Jason Hellwig reflected on the decision to increase the APC's funding and spoke of the task of stretching the funding to have an impact on many Paralympic sports.

"Given the tough economic environment, the APC is thankful that the Australian Government has placed greater priority on Paralympic sport by lifting the level of funding," he said.

"We not only see it as an acknowledgement of Australia's outstanding performances at last year's Paralympic Games in London, but significant recognition of the growing importance of Paralympic sport in Australia and around the world.

"The ASC has been very rigorous in determining the allocation of this funding and has recognised and rewarded those who have achieved success.

"However, that reward comes with a greater level of responsibility and accountability and that is an approach we fully support."

Australia's Paralympic athletes finished fifth in the overall medals table at London 2012, securing 32 gold medals and 85 medals in total, their best performance in an overseas Games since Atlanta 1996. 

Evan O'Hanlon was one of the star's of Australia's successful Paralympic team, winning gold in the T38 100m and 200m

The APC currently runs high performance programmes for wheelchair rugby, powerlifting, boccia, goalball and winter sport, as well as Paralympic Preparation Programmes with 13 National Federations.

Despite their appreciation for the additional funds from the ASC, Hellwig still believes there is work to be done with the equality of funding awarded to disabled sport and non-disabled sport.

"The increase of $1.1 million is welcomed but will need to stretch a long way," he said.

"There still remains a significant gap between funding for able-bodied sports and Paralympic sports and we will continue to work with Government to bridge this gap further.

"To this end, we are close to finalising our policy submission for equitable programme support for Australian Paralympic athletes which we will publish in the coming months.

"Many of our international rivals continue to pour significantly more resources into their Paralympic programmes.

"Although we're not able to match their levels of investment, this funding will at least help us give some of our athletes more of the support they need."

The Australian Government also announced changes to the Direct Athlete Support (DAS) scheme, which will see Para-athletes and able-bodied athletes receive a 25 per cent boost in their funding.

"DAS is absolutely critical to helping Australia's best athletes and continues to lead the way in eliminating the discrepancy between funding for Para-athletes and able-bodied athletes in Australia," said Hellwig

"We are delighted that the scheme provides equal funding for Paralympic athletes and their able-bodied peers.

"DAS lives up to a standard that the APC feels should be used as a model for all Australian sport moving forward.

"It recognises the performances of elite Para-athletes on the same level as the performances of elite able-bodied athletes, which is the way it always should be."

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