New Councillor Seeks Insurance for People with Disabilities

Councillor Hill has muscular spinal atrophy and wants residents to join the Every Australian Counts Campaign. He plans to seek Council endorsement for the movement in December this year.

“If someone is born with a disability or acquires one later in life, they currently run the risk of falling through a huge hole in Australia’s safety net so the NDIS model is about the Federal Government insuring everyone against the possibility of disability,” Councillor Hill said.

“The NDIS would provide people with a disability, and their families and carers, with the regular care, support, therapy and equipment they need. As a Medicare-type scheme, it would provide a secure and consistent pool of funds for these services and support.

“Ultimately, Australia will only get an NDIS if individuals in the community tell both state and federal governments they are behind this by signing up in big enough numbers. There are more than 80,000 supporters so far, but 20,000 more are needed to make sure its voice is heard."

Organised by the National Disability and Carers Alliance, National Disability Services, Carers Australia and the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, the NDIS proposal seeks to address a currently underfunded system and create consistency across the nation.

The federal government has started work on the infrastructure of the NDIS, and the Council of Australian Governments has agreed to form a select council of Ministers from all states and territories to lay the foundations. However, the NDIS still needs to be both costed and funded.

The NDIS public forum and free morning tea will be held at 10.30am on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 at Fremantle Town Hall, St John’s Square, Fremantle.

To sign up your support go to: www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au