The National Disability Insurance Scheme will become a reality for people with disability in Davidson under an historic Heads of Agreement signed by the NSW and Australian Governments.
Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea said NSW has secured a great deal for people with disability, their families and carers – with the Commonwealth to spend $3.32 billion in 2018 for the scheme’s roll out across the State.
“This is a massive win for people with disability in Davidson," Mr O'Dea said.
The 4,000-plus disability services clients in the Northern Sydney Local Planning Area and local service providers are the big winners under this agreement.
“I know that a number of people in our community, including Katrina Clark, Heike Fabig and Sue O'Reilly have battled long and hard to get the NDIS ‘locked in’, and I’m proud the NSW Government has delivered,” Mr O'Dea said.
The Agreement will see the Commonwealth invest $3.32 billion in 2018 for the NDIS roll out in NSW with the State to contribute $3.13 billion in 2018.
“For the NSW Government, this issue is above politics. It’s about getting the best help for our vulnerable – and that’s what we’ve done.
“We have worked in a bipartisan way with the Commonwealth to get the best deal for people with disabilities and their carers.
“This historic outcome continues the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s record of reform in social services.
“The NSW Government has a proud record in disability services through our record $2 billion growth program Stronger Together 2, which has been acknowledged by the Commonwealth in their contribution.”
Mr O'Dea said the NDIS will ensure people with disability get the care and support they rightly deserve.
“For too long, people with disability have battled against a system that fails to cater for their individual needs and aspirations,” Mr O'Dea said.
“People are dictated to as to what services they can have, and by whom they can have them. It is a system based on rationing, not on entitlement.
“We are experiencing growth in demand for services of up to 10 per cent per annum. That’s why we have long argued for the introduction of the NDIS.
“The NSW Government has been working hard to ensure the State is ‘NDIS ready’ under our own reform with a commitment to deliver individualised funding packages from July 2014.
“That work will continue and will dovetail into the NDIS.
“I again pay tribute to the people in our community who have lent their voice to the NDIS campaign.
“The NSW Government has echoed that message to Canberra and we wouldn’t be in the position we are today without your commitment.”
