Disability Services and Other Legislation (NDIS) Amendment Bill 2019

As Minister for Disability Services, moved the bill and outlined its purpose to support Queensland's transition to a participating jurisdiction in the NDIS from 1 July 2019, ensuring quality and safeguards frameworks continue to protect people with disability.

“The Palaszczuk government is committed to ensuring people with disability in Queensland can access quality services in safe environments.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

As a committee member who examined the bill, spoke in support emphasising the NDIS represents social reform comparable to Medicare and compulsory superannuation, and endorsed the harmonisation of state and Commonwealth disability legislation.

“This bill is the next important step in transitioning Queensland to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, a scheme that will change the way that disability services are funded and delivered—a social reform the likes of which we have not seen since the introduction of Medicare and compulsory superannuation.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising the government for leaving urgent amendments until the last sitting date before 1 July NDIS rollout. Acknowledged the committee only recommended the bill be passed and emphasised the LNP's role in preparing Queensland for the NDIS.

“If the NDIS, which was agreed to in 2013 by an LNP state government and a Labor federal government, is rolled out effectively it has real potential to change the lives of people with disabilities for the better and give them a form of independence that most, if not all, of us in this House treat as the norm.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Spoke in support highlighting the smooth transition in her region and the importance of quality service providers and robust worker screening that will be portable across the country under the NDIS.

“Worker screening information will be shared across jurisdictions and service providers. This will benefit services in remote, rural and regional centres. They will have access to the same information as major centres.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as a committee member while emphasising the LNP's bipartisan support and historical role in preparing Queensland for the NDIS. Criticised the government for leaving amendments until the last minute before the 1 July transition.

“Delivering the very best National Disability Insurance Scheme we can in Queensland has always been the focus of the LNP. We led the introduction of the NDIS in Queensland during the LNP's term in government and continue to provide bipartisan support to this fundamental change.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising federal underspends and staffing caps undermining the NDIS. Highlighted the state government's $6 million commitment to continue the Taxi Subsidy Scheme after the federal government failed to address transport funding.

“It is a great relief to me, to members of the community with a disability and to their carers that the Palaszczuk government stepped in to ensure that the Taxi Subsidy Scheme for NDIS participants continues over the coming year.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as a committee member, noting its technical nature and the rushed inquiry timeframe. Acknowledged the importance of the NDIS for regional areas and the improvements in personalised care it offers.

“If what we are trying to achieve here is ensuring that the people who need these services are looked after then I have no problem supporting this bill.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Spoke in support highlighting the NDIS jobs boost in the individual support sector and the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative training disability support workers in his region through Multicap Rockhampton.

“I also understand the importance of the role of the disability support worker and I know that it takes a special person to work and genuinely care for the client.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but strongly criticised government incompetence in the NDIS transition, including letters sent to deceased family members, the near-axing of the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, and QAO findings that fewer than 60% of eligible Queenslanders would be in the scheme by full rollout.

“This bill is a sensible and necessary step in Queensland's transition to the Disability Insurance Scheme. All of us understand that it is crucial that no Queenslander living with a disability is made worse off as a result of the transition to the NDIS.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a former nurse and disability carer, emphasising the NDIS is fundamentally about empowering people with disability. Defended the Queensland Narrating Service which received state funding after being denied federal NDIS funding.

“At the heart of the NDIS, this is what it is about... my job was to try to help them to get back in control of their life and to live the most meaningful life they could possibly live. That is why the NDIS is so important.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising Labor's management of the transition, including letters sent to deceased Queenslanders and the near-axing of the Taxi Subsidy Scheme. Noted concerns about the Darling Downs Hospital withdrawing as an NDIS provider.

“It is crucial that no Queenslander living with a disability is made worse off by their transition away from state arrangements to the NDIS and this bill will help to ensure that Queensland's accountability frameworks remain in place as the transition continues.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill highlighting world-class disability services in her electorate including Youngcare, Montrose Access and Multicap. Praised the government's continuation of the Taxi Subsidy Scheme which enables constituents with disability to maintain employment.

“It is great to see that under the Palaszczuk government this subsidy will continue to be applied. A further $6 million has been committed in the 2019-20 budget to continue that subsidy payment for people like Sally and Jo.”— 2019-06-11View Hansard