The Tasmanian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Taskforce has called on the State Government to ensure it strongly advances the case for Tasmania to lead the implementation of the NDIS.
Taskforce Chair Jane Wardlaw said if Tasmania was successful in its bid to become an NDIS launch site, the associated funding could potentially double the state’s disability budget, bringing much needed relief to people with disabilities.
“An NDIS will revolutionise the way disability services are funded and delivered and would ensure that Tasmanians living with a disability get the care and support they need,’’ Ms Wardlaw said.
“Last month, the Prime Minister and the Council of Australian Governments agreed to advance the NDIS as recommended by the Productivity Commission – a huge win for people with disabilities after decades of chronic underfunding and neglect.
“There is now a massive opportunity for Tasmania to lead the implementation of the NDIS across Australia as one of the launch sites as recommended by the Productivity Commission.
“Tasmania is well positioned to lead the reform as the Productivity Commission has identified our Gateway model of assessment as best practice which could be replicated across Australia as part of the roll out of the NDIS.”
Ms Wardlaw said the case for Tasmania leading the NDIS implementation would build on this strength, as well as the expertise which existed across the disability sector.
“We now need the Premier and her Government to now strongly advance the strategic case for Tasmania to host the launch of the NDIS and show the rest of the nation we are NDIS ready,” Ms Wardlaw said.
“There’s is a significant body of strategic policy work that needs to be undertaken to ensure the Federal Government is convinced that Tasmania is the right place to lead the implementation of the NDIS.
“To make the NDIS a reality sooner than later for Tasmania, the Government must progress the strategic work as quickly as possible. It must therefore be properly resourced and must be a priority for the State Government.”
Ms Wardlaw said it has been a big couple of weeks for the campaign with the recent commitments by the Prime Minister and the Council of Australian Governments to develop a NDIS but urged people to keep the pressure on until the NDIS is a reality.
“It is a great start but there is a long way to go. The Taskforce will keep working until the job is done.”
