[Greens-Media] NDIS gets long term funding as WA remains on the outer

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

14 May 2013

NDIS gets long term funding as WA remains on the outer

With a decade of funding confirmed for the NDIS, the WA Government cannot continue to delay joining the scheme, the Australian Greens said today.

"I am pleased to see investments made in the NDIS over an extended period of time, and I hope this will provide the support and stability the NDIS needs," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on disabilities said today.

"It is very disappointing to see the budget papers outline the roll out of the NDIS for every state and territory except WA.

"There is currently a great level of unmet need in WA, despite the Premier's claims to the contrary.

"This is Australia's chance to fix a broken and fragmented system.

"Mr Barnett cannot continue to ignore people with disability in WA, their families, supporters and carers. People in WA have waited long enough for better services and support, and the Premier simply has to listen to them.

"The longer the Premier delays in signing up to the NDIS, the more obvious it becomes that he is letting politics drive his decision making process, rather than the needs of the state.

"The Greens will closely examine the funding provisions for the NDIS in the coming days and I'll continue to speak to people across the community about the scheme to make sure its implementation is as effective as possible," Senator Siewert concluded.