NDIS landmark commitment in NSW and Vic welcomed

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) congratulates the Australian, NSW and Victorian Governments for reaching agreements that will ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be rolled out in full in these States.

“We welcome this commitment by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Mike Baird and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews”, PWDA President, Craig Wallace said. “It’s great to see such a significant commitment to the NDIS so early in the life of a refreshed government and at the Prime Minister’s first major press conference.

In reaching these agreements, PWDA also acknowledges the significant work undertaken by Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, the NSW Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. John Ajaka MLC, and the VIC Minister for Disability, the Hon. Martin Foley.

Mr Wallace commented, “The NSW and VIC agreements will provide some much needed peace of mind for people with disability and families. However, we are still awaiting agreements in other States and Territories, and we urge all States and Territories to follow NSW and Victoria’s lead.

Mr Wallace also noted, “As we go forward, it’s appropriate we address NDIS funding, and we believe that all the options need to be on the table and the taxpaying community brought into that conversation – this is similar to how business and the community sector have started productive conversations around tax reform.

“We need to recognise this is not a zero sum game – if we don’t invest now, our nation faces downstream costs due to declining carer ratios and people shunted into acute care.

“Let’s have a mature discussion about future proofing this core government business.”

MEDIA: Craig Wallace 0413 135 731

For more information on the rollout of the NDIS in NSW please visit www.ndis.gov.au/nsw

For more information on the rollout of the NDIS in Victoria please visit www.ndis.gov.au/vic

People with Disability Australia Incorporated (PWDA) is a national disability rights and advocacy, non-profit, non-government organisation. We have a cross-disability focus, representing the interests of people with all kinds of disability and our membership is made up of people with disability and organisations mainly constituted by people with disability.

Our vision is of a socially just, accessible and inclusive community, in which the human rights, citizenship, contribution, potential and diversity of all people with disability are respected and celebrated.