Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Leader and Disability Services spokesperson
An estimated 10 600 Tasmanians will now be eligible to receive services and supports, with the rollout of the full National Disability Insurance Scheme from today.
While the NDIS is a life-changing reform for participants, the system remains imperfect and there continue to be substantial challenges for people with disability.
At the same time, the Royal Commission in to Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is now underway with submissions soon to open.
The Royal Commission is certain to find evidence of systemic harm to people with disability, including here in Tasmania.
Now is not the time for the Tasmanian Government to send a message that it’s ‘deprioritising’ disability services by abolishing a portfolio the Premier established a little over a year ago.
Having promised people with disability their own dedicated Minister, the Premier has now snatched it away to reshuffle his Cabinet.
Regrettably, the Premier hasn’t provided any explanation to Tasmanians with disability for his portfolio snub. He should do so without delay.
The new Minister responsible for Disability Services, Roger Jaensch MP, must reassure Tasmanians with disability, their families, carers and people who love them, that, unlike the Premier, he will make improving their lives a top order priority throughout this term of the Parliament.