Update Nine - 12 December 2011

Dear Friends

We’ve said from the start that we want to make sure people with disability and their carers are at the centre of our work to build a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Today, the Prime Minister has announced that this reform will be at the centre of government.

The Prime Minister has appointed me to the new position of Minister for Disability Reform, in addition to my responsibilities as Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Senator Jan McLucas will continue her work as the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers.

It’s a great honour that recognises the importance of reform of disability care and support.

We know that the current system is letting people down. It’s a maze that people like you - people with disability, carers and advocates – have to navigate on a daily basis.

Four years ago, we started work. We are doubling Commonwealth funding for disability services through the National Disability Agreement. We have started work on a long term plan, the National Disability Strategy and we are uncapping access to Disability Employment Services, so people with disability know they can get help to give work a go. And we asked the Productivity Commission to inquire into the long term care and support of people with disability.

There is a lot of work ahead of us to make sure we’re delivering the kind of care and support we all expect for people with disability through a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Next year, we will focus our work on the design of the launch of an NDIS, and we will establish a Commonwealth agency to lead our work on this.

We’ve said we will get this done. The Prime Minister’s announcement is a reflection of how serious we are about this reform and how determined we are to get this done.

It has been a privilege to work with each of you to date, and Jan and I look forward to continuing our work with you to build a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Best wishes
Jenny Macklin

PS. Remember to visit www.ndis.gov.au and keep up to date and in touch with progress as we transform disability services in Australia.