Opening address by Hon Stephen Dawson, Minister for Disability Services:
Well, good morning, everybody. Can I begin by thanking Uncle Charlie and Aunty Helen for such a warm and informative and educating Welcome to Country.
Ngala Kadditj Noongar mort kayan kadak nidja boodja.
Can I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, too, on which we are gathered today and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.
I'd also like to express my sincere thanks to Samantha Jenkinson and the Disability Coalition for working closely with the DSC to put together this activity today and tomorrow.
Looking out across the room, it really does fill me with pride to be the new Minister for Disability Services.It's been a few months now, and I'm still learning, and have lots to learn. I certainly don't have all the answers, but these types of events are very important because you really do help me do my job and help government come to the decisions that they need to make and make sure that they are the right decisions.
So I'd like to thank each and every person here for making the time to come and share your thoughts, your ideas and your questions about the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
I would especially like to thank those that have travelled from regional WA to be here today. Now I believe we have attendees from across the state, including Albany, Fitzroy Crossing, Collie, Broome, Geraldton, Dampier, Karratha, Busselton, Kambalda and Port Hedland.
And can I say, as a Member of Parliament representing regional Western Australia, I'm very delighted that you're here today.It's so important that people from all across this wonderful state of ours gets the opportunity to play a role in designing the future of disability service provision for our community.After all, this is your scheme and so it's really very important that we get it right and make sure it works for you.
So, we're on the cusp of a National Disability Insurance Scheme, and we are there because people with disability, their family and their friends have long fought for this and to get to this day.
There's no doubt that the introduction of this scheme is an important opportunity to deliver social justice to those who have long been deprived of this opportunity. But while the NDIS is upon us there is some more work to be done.
At the heart of the NDIS are some very important principles that place people with disability at the centre of decision making about their lives. NDIS plans are plans for individuals. They should be unique, as the needs, goals and aspirations of each person participating in the scheme.
Under the NDIS, the role of families, carers and other significant people in the lives of people with disability is to be acknowledged and respected.
However, it is all too easy for these principles just to become a series of buzz words thrown around by people from government. Choice and control should be words that those of you here today might actually use to describe your experience of planning and accessing services and supports under the NDIS.
The NDIS principles need to be something we experience, borne out in how the scheme is implemented on the ground. That is why today and tomorrow is so important. We want to hear your questions, we want to learn from your experiences and we want to build on your ideas about how best we can keep you at the centre of the NDIS in Western Australia.
The NDIS is a significant reform, but it won't be without its challenges, and I think we have to admit that and recognise that, and as the NDIS rolls out we have to respond. If issues arise, we have to work to fix them as quickly as we can. We have to make this the best scheme for people with disability that's possible.
When this all rolls out, over 460,000 people across Australia are expected to access the NDIS at full scheme. That's a huge amount of people, many of whom have had little or no support from government before, so we need to do it right.
Before I came to Parliament I had the opportunity of being involved in the Every Australian Counts campaign, which was a precursor of sorts for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and in Opposition for the last few years I've been pleased to be able to work with you and meet with you all to hear about how you'd like the NDIS to happen.
And I'm reminded of those lessons and those issues that you raised and I'll make sure that as I am making decisions that they're taken into consideration as we move forward.
Look, the move away from a rationed disability system, where people often had to wait for long periods of funding and support, to an insurance-based entitlement scheme really is a truly amazing social policy achievement.
It is worth acknowledging that new systems are often challenging to learn and understand and change can be daunting for most of us.
I know that, and that's why we've got plenty of opportunity over today and tomorrow to voice those concerns and to have them listened to. I can only imagine that this is particularly true for people with disability who have fought long and hard to navigate the current system of disability support.
Over the past three months as Minister for Disability Services, I have been meeting with people with disability, their families and carers, service providers, big and small, in metro and regional Western Australia, I've met with employee organisations and unions to discuss the NDIS and the bilateral agreement signed by the previous government before the election.
I don't believe that people with disability were properly consulted about the deal that was signed, and I have to say I'm personally disappointed that the agreement was signed so close to the election. So I have spent the last few months, as I said, listening to you all and making sure that you are listened to and that your concerns are understood and that I make sure that the agencies involved work through those issues and fix them, if possible.
So after meeting with many of you and hearing your feedback the McGowan Labor Government is now involved in discussions with the Federal Government about the future of the NDIS in this State. And while those discussions are well advanced, I'm not in a position today to make an announcement about any models. But please know this; that the McGowan Labor Government is committed to the continued roll-out of the NDIS in Western Australia and making sure that the best scheme rolls out for people with disability. Thank you.
Now, I know many of you may be worried about what the NDIS means for you and the services and support that you currently receive.
I really do encourage you to ask questions and ask your questions throughout today and tomorrow as the chances are that the person next to you in the room is wondering the same thing.
The NDIS truly is a fabulous opportunity and the next few days present a fantastic opportunity for you to learn how it can best meet your needs and for us to learn your feedback and your thoughts and concerns.
Thank you again for making the time to come and share your thoughts, ideas and questions. As I said, this is your scheme - it's important that we get it right and that we make sure it works for you. So thank you and enjoy the next couple of days.
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