Kurrajong Waratah has called for more clarity surrounding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) following this week’s historic agreement between the Federal, NSW and Victorian governments.
The NDIS is set to be rolled out in the 2017-18 financial year in the Murrumbidgee area, but Kurrajong Waratah chief executive Steve Jaques wants to know the precise start date for the region.
“We’re disappointed they haven’t given us a definitive month,” he said.
“I’d be calling for greater clarity, as they’ve done in Victoria, where they’ve cearly identified the start month for the various areas.”
Mr Jaques said the scheme would provide certainty for those in the region living with disability.
“In NSW, at present we have a system that is very restrictive and cruel in that there are only 55,000 people with disability receiving a service, when there’s 140,000 people eligible,” he said.
“Those families and people with disabilities who are struggling to have a quality of life by having their reasonable care and supports met, (the NDIS) is an entitlements scheme – if they’re eligible – and so they’ll have those needs met.”
The agreement has been welcomed by Griffith councillor Anne Napoli, who is a carer for her disabled son.
“As a carer, we have been waiting for this for a long time,” she said.
“It will provide security and peace of mind to people with disabilities, their families and carers.”
NSW and Victoria are the first two states to sign on for the NDIS, which will begin being implemented in 2016 – a year ahead of its arrival in the Riverina.
“The NDIS is a once-in-a-generation reform which will ensure people with disabilities, their families and carers are able to access the services they deserve,” member for Riverina Michael McCormack said.
“I have worked closely with Kurrajong Waratah, which is such a vital service to many people in the Riverina, and have proudly supported the NDIS since it was first suggested.”
