MEDIA RELEASE
THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR
Federal Government Minister Bill Shorten spoke at a forum in Ipswich on Tuesday on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann hosted the event at Jets Leagues Club, which was attended by local NDIS clients, carers and providers, and disability advocates, with Ipswich City Council Division 1 Councillor Sheila Ireland giving a vote of thanks at the end of the evening.
In a wide-ranging discussion, the Minister for the NDIS touched on reform and the current review of the scheme, NDIS financial sustainability, fraud and over-pricing in the disability sector, Assistive Technology, the role of service providers, disability housing issues, and interactions with the aged care system.
Minister Shorten thanked the local disability community and advocates for their input and said it had been a very useful discussion.
“I’ll say it once, I’ll say it a million times again - if you want to know what’s best for people with disability, listen to people with disability.
“I’m grateful to Ipswich and Shayne Neumann for having me at this NDIS forum. As we reform the NDIS, to ensure every dollar goes to participants, these insights are priceless.”
The former Labor Leader said being the Minister responsible for delivering the NDIS during the previous Labor government was one of the proudest moments of his career.
“The introduction of NDIS has seen a fundamental shift in the way we support people with disability,” he said.
“The NDIS is a life-changing piece of economic and social policy, and it is our duty to make sure it’s here for generations to come.
“Only a Labor government was able to deliver this change. I truly believe that the NDIS is the best change politics has delivered in the 21st century.
“Together, we need to make sure the NDIS reflects our vision – an NDIS that works for all participants.
The review of the NDIS was announced in October 2022 and would report back in October 2023.
The review aims to strengthen the NDIS and ensure the scheme is working effectively to deliver services and supports to people with disability.
The review submission process is fully accessible, so all people with disability can take part and have their say, including online, on the phone, via video or by writing in.
Information and instructions how to make a submission can be found here: https://www.ndisreview.gov.au/have-your-say
Minister Shorten acknowledged he had received representations on the possible closure of the McIntyre Centre disabled riding centre in Brisbane’s western suburbs, and was happy to look into what the Federal Government could do to assist.
Mr Neumann thanked the forum participants and said the Albanese Labor Government was committed to improving support for people with disability.
“To that end, I encourage NDIS participants, their families, carers, advocates, supporters and providers, to make a submission to the NDIS review before the close date.”
Mr Shorten was also guest speaker at a politics in the pub event where he spoke about the Royal Commission into the former Coalition government’s illegal robodebt scheme and how the Albanese Government will ensure it never happens again.
