By EMMA SUN
HILLS residents are set to benefit with the state and federal agreement of a full National Disability Insurance Scheme rollout across Victoria by 2019.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Premier Denis Napthine made the announcement on Sunday 5 May, which would see the Federal Government contribute $2.6 billion and the State Government put in $2.5 billion.
The NDIS, named DisabilityCare will be partly funded through an increase in the Medicare levy, from 1.5 per cent to two per cent and is set to benefit more than 100,000 Victorians.
La Trobe MP Laura Smyth welcomed the move and said the historic agreement for a full scheme will benefit many families in the hills.
“DisabilityCare Australia will give people across our region the peace of mind that if they have or acquire a disability or have a child with a disability needing daily care and support, they will get the support they need when they need it,” she said.
Ms Gillard said the NDIS has been years in the making.
“I want to say thank you to all of those who have argued for disability care for decades now – to everyone in the disability advocacy sector, to everyone with a disability and their family and friends who have raised their voices to say as a nation we need to do better.”
Dr Napthine, whose foster son has severe autism, said he was very proud to see the full rollout.
“We have been working hard with groups across Victoria to make sure we can deliver a disability service system that takes care of the needs of all those with significant and profound disabilities,” he said.
“As a person, as a family member, as a carer, as somebody who has worked in the disability area and as a politician, I’m very proud to be here as a Victorian with Victoria signing up to the full disability care system from 2019 and the lead up to it.”
Victoria joins New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania in signing up for the scheme.
The first stage is set to roll out from July next year in the Barwon area of Victoria, encompassing the City of Greater Geelong, the Colac-Otway Shire, the Surf Coast Shire and the Borough of Queenscliff.
A full rollout of the scheme across the state will start mid 2019.
