Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Human Services spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens warmly welcome the announcement today of details on the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) two and a half years after this life-changing and positive reform came in to effect in Tasmania.
It was always the plan that the full scheme would begin to roll out from 1 July 2016, in order to deliver the NDIS to around 9600 Tasmanians living with disability who are outside the 15-24 age cohort who were part of the trial.
As the former Minister who worked with then Premier Lara Giddings to deliver this scheme to Tasmania, I would strongly urge Minister Petrusma to personally make sure that Tasmanians living with disability are kept informed of the process.
The conversation needs to start today to allay concerns and confusion about the NDIS from the very people it is intended to benefit.
When I talk to people living with disability there's a huge amount of uncertainty about when the NDIS is coming in to their lives and what it might mean for them. In most cases, their families and carers are also very keen for more information.
I respect the fact that this negotiation with the Commonwealth hasn't been easy and it has been difficult for the State Government to release much detail, but now that the roll out timeframe has been set, it's critical that people with disability are genuinely engaged in the conversation.
It is their perspective, their hopes and dreams for the NDIS, that is the most important consideration in this enormous and positive reform process.