Local people with significant and permanent disability will for the first time have the power to choose the support they need and how that support is provided, with today’s historic launch of DisabilityCare Australia.
Hunter Labor MPs Sharon Grierson, Jill Hall, Greg Combet and Joel Fitzgibbon welcomed the launch of the historic national disability insurance scheme, DisabilityCare Australia, in Charlestown today.
Member for Shortland, Jill Hall MP, said the launch is a momentous achievement for the Hunter region, giving people living with disability, their families and carers the certainty they deserve.
“We now have a system based on empowerment and equality and which will support the individual needs and goals of local people living with disability in a whole-of-life approach.
“Around 10,000 local people will have a plan of support that is tailored to their individual needs and preferences and can be adapted over their lifetime,” said Ms Hall.
DisabilityCare Australia’s Local Area Coordinators will work one-on-one with people with disability to link them into their communities and access a range of mainstream, disability and community supports.
“Labor takes care of those who need help the most, and DisabilityCare is a Labor initiative, through and through,” Charlton MP Greg Combet said.
“There are more than 3,000 people with significant and permanent disability in Charlton who will benefit from DisabilityCare; who will no longer negotiate the myriad of programs and providers, and no longer make do until the right equipment is available.”
“DisabilityCare Australia will give people the peace of mind that if they, their child or a loved one has a significant and permanent disability, they will get the support they need, when they need it, over their lifetime,” Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon said.
“And the scheme has long-term funding certainty through an increase to the Medicare Levy of 0.5 percentage points – every cent of which will go towards funding DisabilityCare.”
For more information about DisabilityCare Australia, call 1800 800 110 or go to www.disabilitycareaustralia.gov.au
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