National Disability Insurance Scheme Roundtable

National Disability Insurance Scheme Roundtable

Some of Australia's largest disability and chronic illness organisations came together with politicians in Melbourne for a roundtable discussion about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and what must be done to get it up and running.

The Roundtable was hosted by MS Australia and Member for Deakin Mike Symon MP and was attended by the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, the Hon. Senator Jan McLucas.

Senator McLucas said the Gillard Government had taken the lead in delivering this fundamental reform.
'The Australian Government is working to deliver a National Disability Insurance Scheme to make sure all Australians with disability get the care and support they need, no matter where they live or how they acquired their disability," Senator McLucas said.
'There is a significant amount of work to be undertaken in order to achieve this, which is why we started work right away.

The Australian Government has committed more than $10 million to lay the foundations for a launch of a National Disability Insurance Scheme, like a common assessment tool and national quality standards.

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

MS Australia – ACT/NSW/VIC Chief Executive Officer Jim Carroll said the Roundtable would be a constructive way for the sector to provide input directly to the Government.
'The NDIS is a once-in-a-generation reform that people with disabilities like MS have been calling on for decades," Mr Carroll said.
'We welcome the opportunity to put the views of people with MS and other chronic illnesses straight to the decision makers.
'For this scheme to be the best it can be, people with disabilities need the Federal and State Governments and the community sector to work together, and we're excited to being part of that process." Mr Carroll said.

'This is a great chance for our local organisations to have input into the development of the National Disability Insurance Scheme." Member for Deakin, Mike Symon said.

'Every Australian deserves to have confidence that if they or their children are born with a disability or acquire one during their lives, they will receive the care and support they need."

The discussion will feature representatives from organisations including MS Australia, the Epilepsy Foundation, Parkinsons Victoria and the Young People in Nursing Homes national alliance, as well as people with disabilities and chronic illnesses.