Media Release by Senator the Hon Jan McLucas

Locals lead the way on an NDIS

Joint Media Release with:

  • Mark Dreyfus QC MP, Federal Member for Isaacs

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas and Member for Isaacs, Mark Dreyfus joined local people with disability, their families, carers and service providers to discuss the roll-out of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) at a community forum in Chelsea today.

Mr Dreyfus welcomed Senator McLucas’ visit to Chelsea to provide locals with an update on the progress of an NDIS and to listen to the stories and experiences of local people with disability, their families and carers.

We know how important it is to get the vital elements of an NDIS right, and that means getting the input of local people,” Mr Dreyfus said.

“The Government is working towards building a national scheme and is committed to laying the groundwork to make an NDIS a reality.”

“The forum was a perfect opportunity to hear from local people about what they want in an NDIS and what it will mean for them.”

Senator McLucas said the Gillard Government is delivering $1 billion for the first stage of an NDIS to be rolled out in five locations across the country, including in the Barwon region of Victoria, starting from July 2013 – a year ahead of the timetable set out by the Productivity Commission.

“The Gillard Government is building a National Disability Insurance Scheme to make sure Australians with disability get the care and support they need, no matter where they live or how they acquired their disability,” Senator McLucas said.

“An NDIS will fundamentally change the way we support people with disability. It has the potential to do for disability what Medicare did for health in this country, what superannuation did for retirement savings, what HECS did for education.”

Mr Dreyfus said he was proud to be working with the community to make the NDIS a reality.

“People with a disability, their carers and the disability sector can be confident that the Government will continue to engage them as we work to deliver an NDIS.

“We want local people to benefit from an NDIS as soon as possible.”

Senator McLucas said the first stage of an NDIS will provide care and support to more than 20,000 people with significant and permanent disabilities.

“Eligible people with disability will have their needs assessed, and will be supported to develop individual plans to deliver ongoing personalised care and support over their lifetime.”

For more information on the NDIS and to receive updates, go to www.ndis.gov.au.