Media Release by The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP

Locals come together to discuss DisabilityCare Australia

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Yvette D'Ath MP
    Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation
    Federal Member for Petrie

People with disability in Bracken Ridge Queensland as well as their families and carers and local service providers came together at a community forum today to discuss DisabilityCare Australia, the national disability insurance scheme.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Amanda Rishworth and Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation and Federal Member for Petrie Yvette D’Ath said the forum was an opportunity to update locals on all of the work being done to launch DisabilityCare Australia from the middle of this year.

“The current disability system is unfair, underfunded, fragmented and inefficient,” Ms D’Ath said.

“The Federal Labor Government knows that disability doesn’t discriminate. Anyone can slip in the shower, have an accident or have a child with disability.

“DisabilityCare Australia will involve major changes in the way we work with local people with disability, their families, carers and service providers, and we want to make sure we get this reform right so we can build a system that is sustainable over time.

“That’s why the Federal Labor Government is delivering $1 billion for the first stage of DisabilityCare Australia, and that’s why we are working hard to roll out the scheme across the country.”

Today’s forum is also about providing the community an opportunity to tell us what they want from a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Ms Rishworth said DisabilityCare Australia will fundamentally change the way we support people with disability, their families and carers.

“The National Disability Insurance Scheme is the biggest reform to the disability sector that Australia has ever seen,” Ms Rishworth said

“This year, DisabilityCare Australia will become a reality for about 26,000 people with disability, their families and carers in five locations across the country.

And in addition we’ve now reached agreements with NSW, SA and ACT to roll out DisabilityCare Australia to all eligible people with disability in those states by 2018-19.

“DisabilityCare Australia will give peace of mind to local parents like those I’ve met today, who just want to make sure their kids are getting every chance at a happy and independent life.”

The Australian Government is continuing to work with the Queensland Government to reach an agreement to implement DisabilityCare in that state.

DisabilityCare Australia will give all Australians the peace of mind that if they have or acquire a disability or have a child with disability that leaves them needing daily care and support, that they will get the support they need when they need it.