Just a quick note to let you know about some fantastic developments in the campaign for a National Disability Insurance Scheme. Both the Victorian Premier John Brumby and the Victorian Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu have affirmed their commitment to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and said they would champion the introduction of the scheme with their Federal colleagues.
Both parties have issued press releases saying they would push the Federal Parliament to act after the Productivity Commission releases its final report in July 2011.
Community Services Minister Lisa Neville said, “We believe a landmark scheme like this would provide more peace-of-mind through an on-going system of support to help Australians with a disability no matter where they live.”
Shadow Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said, “The Coalition will champion significant reform of disability services, providing much greater life-long support for Victorians with a disability and their families and giving them the best chance to fulfil their potential.”
Both the Labor Government and Opposition media releases are attached.
The National Disability and Carer Alliance issued a press release in response – that is also attached.
The announcements are significant because reform on the scale of the National Disability Insurance Scheme will require a high level of cooperation and coordination between the Commonwealth and the states.
While their support is very welcome and necessary, it is also important for state governments not to stand still while waiting for the introduction of a national scheme. There are many things state governments can and should do in the short term to relieve the pressure on people with a disability, their families and carers. We will therefore be watching with interest to see what further announcements each party makes in the lead up to the Victorian state election on November 27.
And finally – a very big thank you to all those who have visited Victorian MPs in the last month – those visits helped raise the profile of the NDIS and sent a strong message about the level of interest and level of support for the scheme in the community. Thank you to those who took the time and made the effort – it is much appreciated.
Once again we are delighted that the NDIS has achieved bipartisan support.
The NDIS Team
