Funding of NDIS now secure
The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) welcomes Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s commitment in tonight’s Budget reply to fully fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Labor’s commitment to fully funding the NDIS through a combination of increasing the Medicare Levy and maintaining the deficit levy on higher income earners secures the future of the scheme, said AFDO CEO Ross Joyce.
“Tonight’s announcement from the Opposition combined with the Government’s budget commitment puts an end to the uncertainty that has dogged the NDIS over recent times – an uncertainty which has created great anxiety for people with disability,” said Mr Joyce.
“But it is important to remember that tonight isn’t just about people with disability waiting to enter the NDIS. It is about all Australians – because disability can happen to anyone.
“All Australians can now be reassured that should they, or someone they love, acquire a disability, the NDIS will be there for them.
“The NDIS has always enjoyed bipartisan support and we saw that in Mr Shorten’s strongly-worded speech.
“Public support for the NDIS has also always been very strong and we have seen that demonstrated again in the last couple of days – people do understand that the NDIS is an important part of the safety net for all Australians.
“The Australian public is smart – they know that in the end the social and economic benefits of the scheme will far outweigh the costs,” Mr Joyce said.
AFDO also welcomes the announcements regarding education and TAFE funding and will look for further detail about the impact on students with disability.
For more information please contact Mr Ross Joyce on 0402 842 040
Who is AFDO?
The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) is the peak organisation in the disability sector representing people with disability. AFDO and its member organisations are run by and for people with disability. AFDO is the place for organisations that represent people with disability to work together to achieve common goals.
AFDO’s mission is to champion the rights of people with disability in Australia and support them to participate fully in Australian life.
AFDO’s members include:
- Blind Citizens Australia
- Brain Injury Australia
- Deaf Australia
- Deafblind Australia
- Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia
- Down Syndrome Australia
- Physical Disability Australia
- Disability Advocacy Network Australia
- Disability Justice Advocacy
- Disability Resources Centre
- People with Disabilities ACT
- Enhanced Lifestyles
- Deafness Forum of Australia
- People with Disabilities WA