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Monday, 4 July 2011
Page: 7574

National Disability Insurance Scheme

(Question No. 412)

Mr Oakeshott asked the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, in writing, on 2 June 2011:

Can she provide an update on the Government's progress towards implementing a national disability insurance scheme, including timeframes.

Ms Macklin: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

In February 2010, the Government asked the Productivity Commission to conduct an independent Inquiry into the costs, benefits and feasibility of a national long-term care and support scheme for people with disability. This included consideration of a national disability insurance scheme.

A national disability insurance scheme would be a complex and transformative reform that requires detailed consideration. The Productivity Commission's Inquiry is assessing whether a national disability insurance scheme would be appropriate, practical and economically responsible in the Australian context.

The Productivity Commission has consulted widely, including with people with disability, their family and carers, governments and service providers. As part of this process, it released a draft report on 28 February 2011. The Productivity Commission is due to deliver their final report to Government on 31 July 2011.

The Government looks forward to the final report and will respond after carefully considering its findings.