Southern Sydney throws support behind a National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Southern Sydney community today threw their support behind a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Local people with disability, their families and carers, local service providers and advocacy groups met today in support of a National Disability Insurance Scheme at an event hosted by Member for Banks, Daryl Melham and Member for Barton, Robert McClelland.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas attended the forum today at the Hurstville Museum and Gallery to meet with locals and to update the community on the progress of this important reform.

Senator McLucas said the Gillard Government was getting on with the job to lay the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“The Australian Government is working to build 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.

The Australian Government has committed more than $10 million to work with the states and territories to lay the foundations for the launch of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“This is critical work to get disability services NDIS-ready – it includes things like developing a set of common assessment tools and establishing national quality standards.

A further $10 million is being invested for practical projects that look at how people with disability, their families, carers and service providers can make the transition to an NDIS.

“A National Disability Insurance Scheme has the potential to do for disability what Medicare did for health in this country, and what superannuation did for retirement savings,” she said.

Mr Melham said he was pleased with the interest and support by local residents and disability service providers for an NDIS and was determined to keep the momentum going.

“The strong attendance today is testament to the local community’s support for fundamental reform of disability care and support.

“It is fantastic to have so many sectors of our community here today showing their support for an NDIS; from our local council to transport providers, local community centres to representatives from our education system.

“I am pleased Senator McLucas is here in Southern Sydney listening to the views and experiences of our disability service providers who are working hard to support people with disability through local services and care programs.

Mr McClelland said an NDIS is a true Labor reform.

“Labor has always been about making sure no Australian is left behind and making sure everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential,” Mr McClelland said.

“A National Disability Insurance Scheme will deliver the kind of care and support we expect for people with disability, their families and carers.”

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