The Chairman of the Board of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bruce Bonyhady, has warmly welcomed the signing of the agreement between the Australian Government and the Government of Western Australia which prepares the way for the NDIS trial site to launch in the Perth Hills on 1 July.
Mr Bonyhady said planning and preparations by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for the WA trial site are well underway following the appointment of Marita Walker as WA Manager earlier this year.
Officials of both the NDIA and the West Australian Disability Services Commission have been working closely together to put in place new operational arrangements for the NDIS trial site.
Work is continuing to fit out a building for the NDIA headquarters in Midland.
“The signing of today’s agreement between Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Premier Colin Barnett is an important milestone for the NDIS in WA,” Mr Bonyhady said.
“It’s expected that up to 4,000 people in the Perth Hills will benefit from the NDIS, which will provide reasonable and necessary support to people with permanent and significant disability.”
“The NDIS is a nation-building reform with important social and economic benefits for Australia. The Productivity Commission report that recommended the Scheme be established estimated that the NDIS will ultimately add one percentage point to Australia’s GDP.
“I welcome the Prime Minister's continued support for the NDIS, and his leadership and commitment to this great social and economic policy reform delivered for all Australians with disability.”