“We welcome Minister Robert and Minister Ruston to their respective portfolios and look forward to working closely with them to ensure they deliver on their commitments to people with disability and their families and carers,” said Kirsten Deane, Campaign Director at Every Australian Counts.

“Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already said he will be making the NDIS an immediate priority, and we will be looking to our new Ministers to take immediate action.

“We think the Minister Robert’s first priority should be getting out and talking to people with disability, their families and carers about what is really happening on the ground with the NDIS – where the scheme is falling down and what needs to be done to fix it.

“The Minister has quite the task ahead to make sure the NDIS really does deliver the support so desperately needed by people with disability, their families and carers,” said Ms Deane.

During the campaign the Morrison government committed to the:

• Introduction of a new NDIS Participant Guarantee at the completion of the rollout to set quicker timeframes for entry into the scheme, plans and plan reviews;
• Creation of a 7% employment target for people with disability in the Australian Public Service;
• Creation of a new $45 million information gateway for all people with disability and their families and carers;
• Investment of an additional $20 million for the extension of the Community Connectors Program to support people from rural and regional areas, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and ageing parents navigate the scheme;
• Continued work on previous reforms such as improving the support provided to children, people with psychosocial disability and people with complex needs.

“People with disability, their families and carers are looking forward to the new Minister working collaboratively with them to get the scheme back on track,” continued Ms Deane.

“When the NDIS works well it really does change lives. But it is not working well for too many people – too many people are missing out.

“The new Minister must commit to urgent action to getting the scheme working the way it was intended so people can finally get the help they so desperately need,” concluded Ms Deane.