Media Release by The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP

Locals have their say on the NDIS

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Amanda Rishworth and Federal Member for Page, Janelle Saffin today joined local people with disability, their families and carers and local service providers at two community forums in Ballina and Goonellabah to discuss the National Disability Insurance Scheme, DisabilityCare Australia.

Ms Saffin said the forums provided an important opportunity for local people with disability, their families and carers to share their views on the NDIS and to learn more about this essential reform.

“The current disability system is unfair, underfunded, fragmented and inefficient,” Ms Saffin 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 New South Wales, including here on the North Coast.”

Today’s forums are also about providing people with disability, their families and carers and the disability sector the 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.

“In a historic moment, the NDIS Bill passed through the Parliament a couple of weeks ago.

“This is a big achievement for people with disability, their families and carers across Australia.

“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, including about 10,000 people living in the Hunter in NSW.”

As a result of the historic agreement reached between the Australian and New South Wales governments in December last year, DisabilityCare Australia will roll out in full across New South Wales by July 2018, providing care and support to around 140,000 New South Wales residents with disability.

The Australian Government continues to work with other states and territories towards agreement to roll out the NDIS across the country.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme 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.

Under the NDIS, people with a disability will:

  • work with local people to identify their plans and goals for the future;
  • be assessed to receive individualised care and support packages;
  • have decision-making power about their care and support, including choice of service provider;
  • be assisted by local coordinators to help manage and deliver their support; and
  • access a system they can easily navigate that links them to mainstream and community services.