Update Ten - 21 December 2011
Today we have
uploaded a video of the Prime Minister's speech to the National
Disability Awards at the end of November, when she said:
The decision I announced in August is a not just a
preliminary hint or an aspiration.
It is the green light for a National Disability Insurance
Scheme in this country.
The time for words is over. The time for action has come. We
will get this thing done.
The video is a great reminder of just how far we've come
together this year.
Just six months ago, people with disability, their families and
carers had a hope that we could move forward together, toward an
NDIS that would give them confidence they'll get the care and
support they need to participate in their communities and in
work.
Today, we have more than hope. We have action.
We have a long way to go, and we all have a lot of work ahead of
us as we build an NDIS.
Next year, we will work with our colleagues in the states and
territories, with people with disability, their carers and
advocates and those who work to care for them on the practical
tasks of laying the foundations for an NDIS.
On Tuesday, the South Australian
government announced they too were putting their shoulders to
the wheel. They've committed to transforming disability services in
that state to get them NDIS-ready, moving to individualised funding
and giving people with disability, their families and carers choice
over the care and support they receive.
And
South Australia has agreed to second officials from their state
to the new agency which will lead our work on the design of the
launch of an NDIS.
Yesterday, we have also
released a report the Government commissioned on the
effectiveness of early childhood intervention. The report examines
current evidence on how investing in early childhood intervention
assists children with disability transition into school and
increases their social and workforce participation later in life.
The report recommends that current early intervention services
should be integrated into an NDIS.
We wish you a very safe and happy holiday, and look forward to
working closely with you in 2012 as we work towards an NDIS.
Jenny Macklin & Jan McLucas