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Two campaign champions recognised in the same week for their advocacy and community work in the sector
In a week that saw joy at the NDIS Bill passed in the House of Representatives and many celebrations held for International Women’s Day, two Victorian’s in particular were recognised for their dedication and hard work within their communities.
The Every Australian Counts campaign would like to acknowledge and congratulate both Tricia Malowney, inducted onto the honour roll of Victorian women by Premier Napthine and Milly Parker, acknowledged as an Inspirational Woman by Hobsons Bay City Council. Continue reading »
Several Federal Members of Parliament set to hold NDIS forums across Victoria, come and have your voice heard!
Monday the 4th of March starts a three day tour for Senator Jan
McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers as she joins
Federal Members of Parliament to talk with various communities about the
current state of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Victoria.
These forums provide all members of the community the opportunity
to have their voices heard, their opinions listened to and their questions
answered.
150 shades of grey – a very different take on the NDIS Legislation
Ever wondered what the NDIS Legislation might have in common with the infamous novel Fifty shades of Grey? Wonder no longer.
Guerilla advocacy group The Bolshy Divas have drawn some pretty interesting parallels in their submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry.
Here’s a sample ” …if you’re looking for a tale about power – who the dominant powers are and who has the smallest voice – you’ve got it….and just because we’re invited to make a submission – we don’t have to be…well submissive. Its our lives, after all. And isnt that what disability reform is supposed to be about? Changing the balance of power?”
You can read more of this very different submission and many more from around Australia on the Senate Committee’s website http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/ndis/submissions.htm
Geelong is in for a double delight as two NDIS forums are held on February 8, 2013! Register today!
Residents of Geelong will be treated to two different events on Friday the 8th of February, both discussing and looking at the broad issues and questions relating to the National Disability Insurance Scheme both in Victoria and around the nation.
Having a Say Conference – A discussion on the NDIS
To start the day at 9.30am the VALID Having a Say Conference is opening its doors for free to the broader community on Friday morning only, for residents to come and listen to, and ask questions of the expert panel of speakers.
Every Australian Counts cycling team finishes first
The Every Australian Cycling team is at the start line ready to race
Early November we bought you the story of the ‘Every Australian Counts cycling team’ as they prepared for the Financial Review Corporate Cycling Challenge at Flemington Racecourse in Victoria.
Held on Sunday the 18th of November, the team did an outstanding job as they finished first in the mixed team enthusiast category. Congratulations!
Formed to promote the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the team which boasted the support of Carlton Captain Chris Judd was led by CEO Paul Ostrowski from Care Connect.
NDIS takes a great leap foward in Queensland
12/12/12 was the day the light at the end of the NDIS tunnel shone more brightly in Queensland, giving hope to tens of thousands of people who have campaigned long and hard for the NDIS.
Premier Campbell Newman chose a visit to a Brisbane adult day service as a platform to announce the Queensland government’s promise to actively move Queensland towards inclusion in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by 2018.
The Premier committed to:
- Nearly doubling current disability funding to $1.77 billion “without caveat” – not dependent on federal government response
- Reforming Queensland’s fault-based motor accident insurance scheme to adopt the no-fault National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS)
If the federal government matched Queensland’s NDIS funding, as they have agreed to in NSW, around $3.5 billion should be available for NDIS support to Queenslanders by 2018, when the scheme will be implemented across the country following pilots in five launch sites.
However the federal Government says Queensland’s offer falls short by up to $300 million and doesn’t meet the NSW benchmark. The premier seemed to leave the door ajar for further negotiations over funding, stating:
“This is the baseline for us, we’re prepared to put more on the table if we can,”
Is politics or money the problem?
It’s both.
Unlike NSW’s Commonwealth-backed announcement, Mr Newman failed to check his numbers with the Federal Government before declaring Queensland’s involvement, amid reports that the number of Queenslanders eligible for the NDIS will be 100,000, up from the Productivity Commission’s estimate of 89,000. The premier also denied the prime minister the opportunity of sharing the stage for this important announcement, unlike the NSW premier.
And while the federal government says Queensland’s offer is not enough, treasurer Tim Nicholls says the federal government should ideally contribute $2.2 billion.
Now more than ever, people with disability, their families and carers and support organisations simply don’t care how politicians settle their funding squabbles.
We want the NDIS rolled out the way the Productivity Commission intended,
as fast as possible to meet existing high level need and enable people to
plan their futures and live better, valued and productive lives.
As the Courier Mail reports, the challenge for both the Queensland and Federal Governments is to keep the doors open, and negotiate in good faith to find both common ground and the extra money, keeping in mind that Queenslanders with disability and their families needed decent support yesterday not 2018.
The Every Australian Counts campaign believes a way forward is possible, and will happen if both sides are willing to find a solution.
Here are 3 reasons for both sides to keep talking:
- Next year is a federal election year
- Both sides of politics need to win or keep Queensland seats
- The NDIS is a big election issue – because of campaigners’ refusal to give up
There’s plenty for real leaders to negotiate with. Please get on with it and sign off the NDIS in Queensland.
Welcome Qld to the NDIS!
The light at the end of the NDIS tunnel is shining on Queensland!
Activists from the Every Australian Counts campaign enthusiastically welcomed the Queensland government’s announcement today of a substantial increase in funding to enable Queensland to be part of the full national implementation of the NDIS.
At a media conference today Premier Newman announced an additional $868 million by 2018-19 to bring total State government NDIS funding commitment to $1.77 billion by 2018-19.
When matched with the expected contribution from the Federal government, NDIS disability funding support for 89,000 Queenslanders with disability is likely to be around $3.5 billion.
“We congratulate the Queensland government on giving real priority to people with disabilities and their families and ensuring Queensland is part of the NDIS” says Every Australian Counts campaign director John Della Bosca.
“While there are many steps to get the NDIS working the way it needs to, today Queenslanders with disability and their families and carers can be assured they will have the supports and service they urgently need. We know the NDIS can’t come fast enough for Queenslanders.”
WA asks Premier and PM to be NDIS Champions
From West Australians with disability, their families/carers, service providers, advocates and supporters.
Dear Premier Barnett and Prime Minister Gillard,
Please be our champions and unite to find a way forward for the NDIS and WA.
Hundreds of thousands of West Australians with disability and their families are in limbo, waiting to find out when a combined disability system will enable them to live independent lives without huge financial, physical & emotional costs.
NDIS needs Qld Premier and PM to lead the way
Photo: AAP Newswire
From Queenslanders with disability, their families and carers, service providers and supporters
Dear Premier Newman and Prime Minister Gillard
Tens of thousands of Queenslanders with disability long to get a job, be financially independent and contribute to our community.
Our family carers have the same vision – to care for disabled family members AND re-join the workforce, plus be part of our local community
To help us on our way to real social and economic participation, we need some up-front investment in support.
Expert disability panel to discuss NDIS – Frankston – 5 December
Held at the Frankston Arts Centre in Frankston on Wednesday December 5, locals will be treated to an expert line up of speakers to discuss the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Starting at 9.30am the forum will discuss the foundations of NDIS, what is it, why we need it, who is for and what is happening in the current environment.
Join the campaign
Upcoming Events
- Several Federal Members of Parliament set to hold NDIS forums across Victoria, come and have your voice heard!
- Geelong is in for a double delight as two NDIS forums are held on February 8, 2013! Register today!
- Expert disability panel to discuss NDIS - Frankston - 5 December
- Upcoming NDIS forum in Benalla:15 November
- Rob Mitchell MP and Senator McLucas host NDIS forum in Seymour
- Chelsea, your Federal MP wants to hear your thoughts on the NDIS
- Senator Mclucas invites you to talk about the NDIS in Brand
Join the Conversation
- Blogs from State Campaign Co-ordinators (308)
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- Counting on our MPs (110)
- DisabiliTEA 2 August 2011 (12)
- DisabiliTEA 2012 (4)
- EAC (124)
- I Count TV (20)
- In the media (153)
- Look who's counting now (54)
- Message book (7196)
- My Story – Why every Australian must count (10)
- National (51)
- National Disability and Carers Congress (14)
- NDIS Information Forums (73)
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- SA/NT (17)
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- You Count – Campaigners in Action (58)
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In the media
- Meanwhile in WA... 16 May, 2013
- PM on WA & the NDIS 28 March, 2013
- NDIS Legislation Eclipse 22 March, 2013
- Tweet NDIS Questions to the WA Leaders Debate Tonight 19 February, 2013
- Premier Barnett on the NDIS & COAG 5 December, 2012
- Excellence in Disability Reform -Samantha Jenkinson in her own words 29 November, 2012
- Asking our MPS to stand and deliver 26 November, 2012
- Media Release: CAMPAIGN REJECTS NDIS COST SCAREMONGERING 15 November, 2012
