Page 3708 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2013
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captured. This is across Therapy ACT, Disability ACT and Health. And there could be other agencies. So we have to actually look at our services and disconnect what will not be captured by the NDIS and what is captured by the NDIS. That is complicated work. It is across Education and Training as well, just in transport and support services in school. That work is going through.
We are also working with the community sector about those needs. I met last week with the CEO and the chair of NDIS here in the ACT about how we work in partnership with the community providers about their own internal governance, their own internal assessments, so that they too can be very clear about service provisions and what they need to be doing in preparation for July and those years of transition beyond that.
As I have said, as information comes to hand, I will regularly come back and provide an update.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, what improvements are foreshadowed as the NDIS rolls out?
MS BURCH: I thank Mr Gentleman for his question. The fundamental principle of the NDIS is to improve the lives and quality of lives of people with a disability and their families and to increase the control and choice people have. In this transition year we have been very pleased with the success of the enhanced service offer. Round one has finished, and there were around 1,300 applications and I think around 800—I can confirm that figure if there is an interest in the absolute detail—grants have been made. I think over $4 million has been distributed to members of our community. Round two is open now and closes in the early weeks of November, and that, again, will be assessed and those fundings distributed hopefully by Christmas or, if not, in the New Year.
We have seen as a result of that a significant increase of service provision and access to support services from straight personal care and community flexible hours as well as some fantastic stories around education and training opportunities that young people are picking up so their lives are improved not just for the life of the grant but as they go through their adult lives. It is all about improving quality for people with a disability.
I know Mr Wall is very keen, as are all members here, and that is why, as I have said, as we go through those key decisions we will come back to the Assembly, as all members of the community have an interest in how we roll this out.
Economy—Gungahlin
MS PORTER: My question is to the Minister for Economic Development. Minister, can you please outline the steps the government has taken to provide services, infrastructure and economic growth in Gungahlin.
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