A Great Step Forward For People With Disability

The Australian Human Rights Commission's Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes today applauded the tabling in Parliament of legislation to create a National Disability Insurance Agency.

"People with disability have - for far too long - remained poor and excluded from Australian society due to a service system that is broken and broke," Commissioner Innes said. "This Bill, if passed by the Parliament, will establish an agency to address that disadvantage."

In Australia today 45 % of people with disability live in poverty, and we are 27th out of 27 OECD countries on this measure.

The Bill establishes the National Disability Insurance Agency and lays the foundations for a National Disability Insurance scheme in Australia. It is likely to be sent to a parliamentary committee for review before consideration early next year.

"I congratulate the Government for moving forward with this legislation, and all members of Parliament for the bipartisan support that has been expressed for the scheme," Commissioner Innes said. "We still have some way to go, with arrangements on structure and funding between Federal and State governments yet to be finalised, but progress on this vital initiative has been clear and quick."

"I urge all governments to continue to make this scheme a priority," Commissioner Innes said. "In sport our paralympians are way out in front, but in the race of life Australians with disability are at the back of the pack. This unacceptable situation must not continue," he said. Media contact: Neena Mairata (02) 9284 9862 or 0417 957 525

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