Page 764 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 April 2014
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MR WALL: Minister, when will the government detail how individuals will be phased into the new NDIS scheme?
MS BURCH: As soon as we have a sign-off by our federal colleagues—so any time you want to get on the phone to the federal colleagues. We have put a plan to our federal counterparts and we are waiting for them to sign that off. I think the sooner the better because, rightly, the community need to know that level of detail.
MS PORTER: Supplementary.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, how is the government working with its employees and their representatives to manage the transition?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Porter for her interest. In order to provide the opportunity to significantly enhance the choice and control people with disability have over their lives, we need to create the space for the community sector to continue to grow. That is why the government has decided to gradually withdraw from the provision of specialist disability and therapy services over the next three years.
We are ensuring that all staff affected by this decision have the information and support they need. We have commenced discussions with unions and will continue those discussions, and will ensure that staff are kept up to date on this progress. It is important that this change be phased in over time. And while the size of the government disability workforce will fall over the transition period, the community sector workforce will grow.
The NDIS will lead to a near doubling of the ACT’s disability sector workforce. Staff will be given the opportunity to develop their skills and gain the experience they need to be highly employable within the NDIS system. There will be job growth in disability and specialist therapy services through the NDIS, and we will continue to ensure that staff are well placed to take advantage of this new environment.
Sport—Woden oval redevelopment
MR DOSZPOT: My question is directed to the Minister for Sport and Recreation. Minister, in a debate in the Assembly in March 2013 in relation to the redevelopment of Woden oval you said:
Looking at the project time frame, construction of the facility would start at the conclusion of the 2013 football season, and will not disturb the use of the facility by Capital Football and the Woden Valley Soccer Club.
Minister, do you stand by that commitment?
MR BARR: I am certainly aware that the project is progressing at great speed. In fact, the significant earthworks have been undertaken. I was driving past the facility only
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