Federal Budget delivers DisabilityCare for Ipswich

Ipswich residents with disability, their families and carers came together today to celebrate DisabilityCare Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, being rolled out across Queensland.

The Federal Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin joined the Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann at Ipswich Special School today to meet local children with disability and update their parents and carers on the Federal Budget and the next steps to make DisabilityCare a reality in Queensland.

The 2013-14 Federal Budget provided $14.3 billion over seven years to 2018-19 to roll out DisabilityCare Australia nationally, on top of existing Commonwealth disability funding.

Ms Macklin said she was pleased to back in Ipswich after previously updating locals on the National Disability Insurance Scheme this time last year.

“One year ago I was here urging local parents and carers to keep putting the pressure on the Queensland Government to sign up for the scheme,” Ms Macklin said.

“I told them then to not give up and to keep campaigning for change. We can now see that the hard work of local residents has paid off, and it’s great to be here twelve months later to celebrate what we’ve achieved together.

“By 2019, DisabilityCare will be a reality for about 3,800 people with disability, their families and carers in Ipswich.”

Under the agreement reached with the Queensland Government earlier this month, DisabilityCare will start being rolled out across the state from July 2016.

The Federal Budget also provided long term funding for DisabilityCare Australia through an increase to the Medicare Levy of 0.5 per cent and through responsible savings measures.

“The Budget makes the responsible decisions that are needed to fund DisabilityCare for the long term. This unprecedented funding security gives people with disability, their families and carers in Queensland the certainty they deserve,” Ms Macklin said.

Under the agreement, in 2019-20 when DisabilityCare is fully rolled out across Queensland:

• The Queensland Government will contribute around $2.0 billion to the scheme.
• The Australian Government will contribute around $2.1 billion to the scheme for Queensland residents. In addition, the Commonwealth will cover the full cost of people who turn 65 and choose to remain in the scheme.
• $197 million will be allocated to Queensland from the increase in the Medicare Levy, to assist with the cost of the scheme in Queensland.

Ms Macklin said DisabilityCare would be especially important for local families with children with disability, with the scheme having a strong focus on early intervention support.

“We know early intervention services like physiotherapy, speech therapy and support for learning difficulties are critical in giving children the best possible start in life,” Ms Macklin said.

“DisabilityCare will mean children with disability get the right support early in their lives so they can reach their full potential as adults.”

Mr Neumann said he would continue to keep local residents up to date with the next steps in rolling out DisabilityCare Australia.

“It’s great to have Jenny here to celebrate this historic announcement with the people who have fought long and hard to make DisabilityCare a reality in Ipswich,” Mr Neumann said.

“We’ve come a long way in a year, and we still have a lot of work ahead of us to make sure we build a scheme that stands the test of time.

“I’m really proud to be part of a Labor Government that is building DisabilityCare for all Queenslanders.”

For more information and to receive updates on DisabilityCare Australia visit www.ndis.gov.au