Louise Markus (Macquarie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to share with the House the coalition government's commitment to support Australians with disability. I was pleased to see the announcement made by the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Hon. Mitch Fifield, and the New South Wales Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. John Ajaka, about the early rollout of the NDIS in Western Sydney and particularly within the electorate of Macquarie. The Abbott coalition government will commit $14.7 million in 2015-16 for the NDIS in Western Sydney and the Baird government will commit $8.7 million. People with disability, their supporters and families should be encouraged that the scheme is proceeding so well in New South Wales. This is a reason to vote for the coalition on Saturday.

The NDIS gives choice and control to people with disability, empowering them to choose the support they need to achieve their goals. An early start to the rollout of the NDIS will help to address the considerable unmet needs of people with disability. Some 2,000 children and young people with disabilities aged between nought and 17 years of age and their families in the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Penrith area of Western Sydney will benefit. Participants will have their needs assessed and then work with planners to develop a plan for their support under the NDIS. Both the Baird New South Wales government and the Abbott federal government are committed to a better deal for people with disability and to increasing their choice and control over the services that they use.

The coalition government is committed to rolling out the NDIS in full, and I am pleased that people with disability and their carers and families across these three areas will benefit from the NDIS before the year's end. Both the Baird and the federal coalition governments are— (Time expired)