17 March 2016
MEDIA RELEASE: Levelling the playing field for Queenslanders with disabilities
Youngcare CEO Samantha Kennerley has congratulated the Queensland and Federal Governments for putting politics aside and reaching a landmark agreement today on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The deal will allow more than 91,000 Queenslanders to access the NDIS from July, with the first funding packages to go to eligible people in Townsville, Hinchinbrook, Burdekin, west to Mount Isa, and up to the gulf; Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays; and Toowoomba and west to the borders.
Mrs Kennerley said Queensland’s disability care sector had been ‘slowly freezing over’ while the State and Federal Governments struggled to reach agreement but today’s announcement was welcome news for people with significant and permanent disabilities as well as their families.
“I congratulate Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Social Services Minister Christian Porter and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for doing the right thing for Queenslanders and signing this momentous agreement,” Mrs Kennerley said.
“It has been a long process but we are tremendously pleased that young Queenslanders with disabilities have finally got the certainty they deserve, and are now in a position to plan their own future as well as that of their loved ones.
“Importantly, current Queensland disability services will continue as normal while the NDIS rolls out over the next three years.
“It’s particularly encouraging that federal funding for the NDIS will be secured in a new ‘future fund’ to hold the Commonwealth’s contributions of approximately $11.3 billion per year.
“Youngcare knows this guarantee will make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of Queenslanders.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Anita Jaensch, Sequel PR – 0403 090 911 or 07 3251 8111.
