Support For People With Disability Confirmed In Law

Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes of the Australian Human Rights Commission today congratulated the Australian Parliament for passing the law which will enable the establishment of a National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia.

"This is a red-letter day for Australians with disability, many of whom currently are the poorest and most marginalised people in our community," Commissioner Innes said. "I believe this is the most important reform in the disability sector in our life times."

The law was passed with cross-party support today. It will now go to the Governor-General for signature.

The scheme, to be known as DisabilityCare Australia, will commence in four launch sites, in four states on 1 July this year.

"The current system of services for people with disability is broken and broke," Commissioner Innes said. "This new scheme will cause transformative change in this area and in the lives of people with disability."

Media contact: Neena Mairata 9284 9862 or 0417 957 525

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