Progress on NDIS but more needed

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes has welcomed further progress towards a National Disability Insurance Scheme made at the The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) 33rd meeting in Canberra today.

"It is very pleasing to see that two States and the ACT have combined with the Commonwealth to move forward on the scheme," Commissioner Innes said. However, it is a pity that other larger States, where there has been positive progress in service delivery or policy reform in the disability area are not included."

"The impact of your disability is not changed when you cross a State border, and we need this scheme to be a truly national initiative," Commissioner Innes said. "I encourage all leaders, who have given their in-principle support for the scheme, to turn that support into a national reality."

"It is unacceptable for people to be only having two showers a week, or leaving their house several times a year, because leaders cannot agree on funding arrangements for this scheme," Commissioner Innes said. "This critical reform needs to become a reality."

Media contact: Neena Mairata (02) 9284 9862 or 0417 957 525

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