Media Release by The Hon Jane Prentice MP

National Disability and Carers Council sets agenda for the year ahead

Members of the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council (NDCAC) met in Melbourne yesterday.

The Hon Jane Prentice MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, said the meeting was an opportunity to review the progress that has been made by the three working groups: Employment Reform; Carer Reform; and National Disability Strategy (NDS) Reinvigoration; on issues of strategic importance to the disability and carers sectors.

“Over the last five months, members of the Council have been considering regulation reform and identifying priority action items,” Mrs Prentice said.

The Council has a crucial role to play in driving the reinvigoration of the National Disability Strategy 2010 – 2020, with the Second Implementation Plan released on 1 December 2016.

Members of the Council were nominated by State and Territory Ministers because of their networks, experience, expertise and leadership in the disability, carers and business sectors.

At the meeting the NDCAC also welcomed Alastair McEwin, Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission who will continue to participate in an ex-officio role. 

Mr McEwin brings a wealth of personal and professional experience, including his strong background in disability, arts, law and business administration, and his previous roles as the former Chief Executive Officer of People with Disability Australia and Manager of the Australian Centre for Disability Law.

“The addition of Mr McEwin strengthens the important collaborative and advisory role that the Council has in driving key government reforms to ensure that people with disability and their carers have greater choice, control and access to employment, education and services within the community.

“I extend my appreciation to all Council members for their ongoing commitment and engagement, and particularly to Co-Chair Keran Howe, for her support in the leadership of the Council.”

A communiqué of the meeting can be found on the DSS website.