Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Locals come together to discuss DisabilityCare Australia

Joint Media Release with:

  • ANNA BURKE MP

    Member for Chisholm

The Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin today joined Member for Chisholm Anna Burke and Oakleigh people with disability, their families and carers, and local disability service providers to discuss DisabilityCare Australia, the national disability insurance scheme.

Ms Macklin 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.

“Once the scheme is fully rolled out, DisabilityCare Australia will transform the way we deliver care and support for people with disability, their families and carers, here in Oakleigh and across the country,” Ms Macklin said.

“It will give people with disability choice and control over the support they receive and certainty that they will get the support they need.

“The Government is investing $1 billion to deliver the first stage of DisabilityCare Australia, which will begin in five locations across the country from July this year, including in the Geelong area in Victoria.

“About 5,000 people with disability in the Geelong region, and their families and carers, will benefit from the first stage of DisabilityCare Australia.

Ms Burke said the Government is working hard to ensure DisabilityCare Australia becomes a reality.

“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,” Ms Burke said.

“About 26,000 people will benefit from the first stage of DisabilityCare Australia, and we’ll learn important lessons as we work to roll out the scheme across the country.

“We’ll keep talking with local people and community organisations as we make this important reform.”

Ms Macklin said the Gillard Government had shown its commitment to the national roll out of DisabilityCare Australia with its agreement with the New South Wales Government.

“We reached an agreement with Premier O’Farrell last year for the roll out of DisabilityCare Australia across New South Wales by the middle of 2018,” Ms Macklin said.

“We need to see that same commitment from the Victorian Liberal Government. We need Premier Napthine to make disability a priority in this state.”