Amanda Stoker (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Fierravanti-Wells, the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services. Can the minister provide the Senate with an update on the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and is the minister aware of any significant changes the scheme is providing to Australians with a disability?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Stoker for her question. This is, of course, a groundbreaking reform which is improving outcomes for Australians with a significant and permanent disability, and the Turnbull government is committed to delivering for the Australian people. Every dollar and every cent this government committed to delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme remains in place and always will.

Senator Stoker asks for an update. On 31 March this year, the NDIS quarterly report showed solid progress in line with expectations. In total, more than 160,000 Australians are now benefitting from the NDIS, and this includes more than 10,000 children who have been supported through the scheme's Early Childhood Early Intervention gateway. We're seeing benefits all around Australia. But let me take you, Senator Stoker, to Queensland. In Queensland over 14,500 people have already accessed the NDIS, and this number will increase. At the full rollout in 2020, over 95,000 people are expected to be receiving life-changing support. In an electorate like Longman, it is expected that over 4,100 Australians will receive support through the NDIS when it is rolled out. Importantly, under this government Australians can be assured that their government is absolutely committed to funding the NDIS.

Of course, that is in direct contrast to those opposite, who failed to fund the NDIS through a formal mechanism. They failed to put in place a formal mechanism that would assist Australians with a disability.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A supplementary question, Senator Stoker?

Amanda Stoker (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the minister aware of any budget measures that will provide more support to clients and providers of the NDIS in this transition phase?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stoker, I'm pleased to report that this year's budget commitment of $64 million for a jobs and market fund and broader communication activity will support this development. This is an important investment that will help raise awareness of NDIS job opportunities and overcome market barriers. It will also combat service difficulties in rural and remote areas and help businesses to grow and develop. I'm advised that activities funded through the jobs and market fund will include things like work to support the development of an e-marketplace, online training modules for NDIS workers, support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to become NDIS registered providers, workshops to inform school leavers about NDIS career opportunities and projects to develop new service delivery models.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Senator Stoker, a final supplementary question.

Amanda Stoker (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could the minister provide any examples of clients who have increased services or supports as part of the scheme?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. The good news from the Turnbull government's rollout of a fully funded NDIS scheme is that all Australians are going to get a benefit. In addition to Australians receiving increased services or supports, the good news is that some Australians are now receiving life-changing support for the first time. In fact, there are 45,000 great examples of Australians getting these supports for the first time. This means 45,000 Australians getting the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live a better life. Often this is not just the person receiving the benefit; it's also their communities and their families. The NDIS is one of the most important social policy innovations that have been developed and implemented in Australian history, and the Turnbull government is delivering this—unlike those opposite.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Senator Cormann.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.