Symposium helps Queensland prepare for NDIS

A Griffith University symposium has been held in Brisbane today to discuss Queensland’s transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and encourage stakeholders to work together.

Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke opened the event at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and reiterated the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to the NDIS and its roll-out from July 2016.

 "The Palaszczuk Government is committed to rolling out the NDIS and that is why the Premier took the fight to the Commonwealth for Queensland’s full and fair access to our portion of the funding to ensure a smooth and effective roll-out of the scheme,” Minister O’Rourke said.

“Premier Palaszczuk also secured the Prime Minister’s commitment to discuss further an early NDIS launch site in Queensland which is great news.

“With just over 12 months to go before this roll-out begins, we need Queenslanders with disability and their families and carers to get ready for the changes the NDIS will bring to disability services and support.

“As part of this transition, we are encouraging people with disability, service providers and researchers to share their collective knowledge and experience, and that’s what this symposium is all about.”

Minister O'Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government was also hosting participant readiness activities and workshops across the state to help people get ready for the exciting changes ahead.

“This complements our efforts to help service providers prepare for the NDIS, as organisations need to be confident in navigating the transition," Mrs O'Rourke said.

“An exciting journey lies ahead as we step closer to the NDIS and now is the time for the disability sector to come together and stay informed.”

The symposium focused on topics such as: ‘What does good support look like?’, ‘What gets in the way?’ and ‘How can people with disability, their families and various people in support roles make the most of the NDIS?’

Minister O’Rourke said the Queensland Government would provide $868 million over six years from 2013 to help Queensland prepare for the NDIS.

“The NDIS will increase the social and economic participation of Queenslanders with disability and is also expected to create around 13,000 additional jobs across the state,” she said.

Griffith University has scheduled another symposium in August to discuss employment opportunities under the NDIS.

Visit www.ndis.gov.au or call the NDIS Hotline on 1800 800 110 for further information on the NDIS. For people with hearing or speech loss call TTY 1800 555 677.

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                  0417 119 473