NDIS Partnership A Win For Queenslanders: Opposition

Media Release.

Shadow Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the State Opposition welcomes the decision from the State Government to put their politics aside and sign up for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
“It’s been a long wait, but finally Campbell Newman has listened to the State Opposition and the overwhelming majority of Queenslanders that want to see the NDIS become a reality,” Mr Pitt said.”
“This is an historic day – not just in terms of the provision of disability care, but also because it’s the beginning of a more inclusive economy – one which provides more employment opportunities for people with a disability, as well as the chance for some long term carers to re-enter the workforce.”
“In particular, my thoughts today are with those older parent carers who will now have some certainty and comfort that their son or daughter with a disability will be provided the necessary support when they are no longer able to care for them.”
“I congratulate the Prime Minister and Minister Macklin on their continued lobbying of the Queensland Government. Without their persistence, the Premier may well have never signed up.”
“The sad fact is that the Premier could have signed up to these historic reforms in April last year, but decided to play politics instead.”
“There’s been over 12 months of politicking by the LNP. At one stage the Premier said he didn’t need to sign up to the national scheme and was going to create his own.”
“It’s been an exercise in politics from the LNP since day one, but in saying that I congratulate them for finally signing up.”
“Thankfully common-sense has prevailed, and now thousands of Queenslanders will be able to benefit from these once in a generation reforms.”
Mr Pitt said that as a former Disabilities Minister, he was pleased to see Queensland and the Commonwealth reach this ground-breaking agreement.
“As soon as the NDIS was first raised among Disabilities Ministers at a national level, it was immediately clear that it had to be a priority for policymakers across the country.”
“It was certainly a top priority for the former Government, and as the Minister who contributed to those initial meetings I’m especially delighted to see an agreement now in place.”