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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 1299 asked in the Legislative Council on 8 May 2018 by Hon Robin Scott

Question Directed to the: Minister for Disability Services
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Tabled Paper No: 1508- View tabled paper


Question

(1) Is the Minister aware of media reports and statements by representatives of United Voice to the effect that under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Western Australians working in the disability sector are likely to suffer a drop in income?
(2) Is the Minister aware of the assertion that under the NDIS, ten thousand additional carers will be required in Western Australia, and is the Minister able to confirm the validity of that assertion?
(3) What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that under the NDIS there will be no reduction in the availability of carers and services for Western Australians with disabilities?
(4) What special arrangements is the Minister making to ensure that Western Australians with disabilities, who live in rural and remote regions, will receive care and support at a standard comparable with services available to Perth area residents?

Answered on 27 June 2018

(1) I am aware of statements made by United Voice.

 

(2) At full scheme, the NDIS is expected to boost employment in WA by more than 9,600 jobs. The National Disability Services (NDS) Industry Plan provides further detail on the expansion of the sector over the transition period and estimates that 9000 to 10 000 new jobs will be created. The report includes details on the regional employment numbers expected. See tabled paper no. #

 

(3) The National Disability Insurance Scheme will deliver services to over 39 000 Western Australians by 2020. This will mean a significant increase in funding and services and will deliver an unprecedented availability of support for people, many of whom have not been able to access anything of the kind before. I remain engaged at all levels of this transition with good working relationships with the Disability Reform Council, the federal Minister, Dan Tehan, the National Disability Insurance Agency CEO, Rob del Luca, and local leaders including the sector and people with disability.

 

I have also announced the establishment of a Sector Transition Fund with a commitment of $20.3 million over the next 2 years. This fund will support the disability sector to transition to the Australia-wide NDIS and ensure that quality providers, particularly those who support people with highly complex needs, can maintain their standards of service.

 

(4) Arrangements have been implemented between the Department of Communities and the NDIA to ensure people receive appropriate supports regardless of where they live, and work is being further progressed.

I have also strongly advocated for WA to host one of the Participant Pathways Pilots and Minister Tehan has confirmed this will occur in the Kimberley. This will be an important step to ensuring that the Scheme is reflective of the particular needs of regional WA.