| The Hon Gary Gray MP Special Minister of State |
Bill Shorten MP Assistant Treasurer |
Senator Jan McLucas Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers |
GG 55/11
26 October 2011
More than 100 Western Australians with disability, carers and disability service providers attended a town hall style meeting in Perth today in support of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) for WA.
At the forum, the Australian Government announced it was aiming to have the foundations in place for the launch of the scheme by 2013, one year ahead of the schedule proposed by the Productivity Commission.
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Jan McLucas said last week’s inaugural meeting of the Select Council on Disability Reform - a council of treasurers and disability ministers established to consider major reform of Australia’s disability support system - had agreed to the accelerated plans.
“The Australian Government wants to see improvements to disability care and support as quickly as possible,” Senator McLucas said.
“Less than a week ago the Select Council on Disability Reform met for the first time and we’ve been able reach agreement on an accelerated timeline for this important foundation work required to start building a NDIS.
“We want to get this major reform right. There is a significant amount of work to be undertaken in order to achieve this, and we are getting started right away.”
Addressing the forum today, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said the Gillard Government had already made clear its support for the Productivity Commission’s vision for a system to provide individuals with the support they need over the course of their lifetime.
“It is critical that all governments maintain momentum to progress this important reform and to work together to build a National Disability Insurance Scheme,” he said.
WA-based Special Minister of State and Member for Brand Gary Gray said, “The Australian Government is listening to communities across the country to understand what is needed to improve and boost the skills of the disability services sector.
“The disability sector here in Western Australia is working tirelessly to support people with disability through their many services and care programs.
“Our government recognises their contribution and I would like to thank the community for their support for a NDIS, which would improve the quality of life of thousands of West Australians, providing more options and support for people with disability.”
Following the release of the Productivity Commission’s final report into Disability Care and Support in August, the Australian Government started work immediately to build the foundations for reform.
The Australian Government has already:
Other speakers at the forum included Young Western Australian of the Year, Peter Darch, and Australia’s first Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes.