Legend has it that before the introduction of Medibank (now Medicare) in 1974, then-prime minister Gough Whitlam convinced the premiers at a Commonwealth-states meeting to introduce a national disability insurance scheme similar to New Zealand’s comprehensive insurance scheme, which was established in 1972. But during a meeting break, his treasurer Bill Hayden apparently persuaded Gough … Continued
The Prime Minister becomes emotional introducing the NDIS funding plan in parliament, and MPs across the party divide agree the issue is important and distressing for Australians.
Speaking at a press conference in Tasmania, Ms Gillard said she welcomed Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s ”change of mind” about supporting the levy. ”On the basis of that change of mind by the Leader of the Opposition I will be bringing to the parliament the legislation to increase the Medicare levy by half a per … Continued
Legislation setting up the National Disability Insurance Scheme has cleared its final parliamentary hurdle on Thursday, sparking a rare congratulations for the government from the opposition benches. Coalition MPs warmly praised the government and Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin after the House of Representatives on Thursday accepted amendments the Senate made on Wednesday. Ms Macklin … Continued
People with disability are more than twice as likely to be in living poverty than other people in our country, says ACOSS’s Cassandra Goldie. More than 600,000 Australians with a disability are living below the poverty line according to new figures from peak welfare group, Australian Council of Social Service. The figures, released on Friday, … Continued
When Jenny Macklin stepped up to the podium at the National Press Club last month to talk up the country’s first national disability insurance scheme, an elephant lurked ominously at the back of the room. The Minister for Disability Reform spoke with genuine passion and excitement about a looming revolution, telling her audience the scheme … Continued
ation and support needs of people with disabilities who are ageing was a major issue identified by delegates attending the 2012 Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference. In response, DARU hosted this forum on 11 September 2012 where over 60 participants came together to explore what happens to people with disabilities as they age and learned about ageing in place for people with disabilities.
Parties split on disability insurance State Labor and Liberal leaders take opposing stances on the Gillard Government’s planned disability insurance scheme. The Prime Minister has launched a scathing attack on Liberal state governments for playing “cheap politics” in a media blitz this morning as federal Labor tries to break the standoff on disability reforms. But … Continued
Having lived for 50 years with deformed legs and without arms, only some fingers attached to her shoulders, Mary Henley-Collopy was incensed to discover yesterday that her disabilities could have been prevented. The Melbourne victim of the side-effects of thalidomide said she was ”infuriated” that German pharmaceutical company Grunenthal ignored and covered up warnings about … Continued
She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 19 and her marriage broke down when it all became too much, but Katy Skene considers herself one of the lucky ones. At the age of 31, because there was nowhere else for her to go after a two-month stay in hospital, Ms Skene was moved into a … Continued