Page 1773 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 4 June 2014
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care is probably going to be the other. These are all on the positive side of having this change with the NDIS coming to Canberra.
What the mums who were in the public gallery today wanted—and I did take the opportunity to go and speak to them—were some firm commitments that on day one of term one their child would have somewhere to go or they would not where to take their child. They are commitments that the government can give these families. There may be a change in who provides that service, there may even be a change in the days that service is offered, but it is up to us to work out over the next few months with the families and the providers how that is to be done.
It is not our intention that anyone would be worse off under the national disability insurance scheme. That is the opposite of the intention of this government going into this. It was to give families more say about the services their children receive, to give them the resources to do that and engage in that directly, and to improve the services provided. Otherwise, what are we all here for? That was very much the thinking behind the government being the first jurisdiction to sign up. The fact that we have a small number of children to transition first into the scheme means that we will be able to individually case manage those families and make sure that we are addressing all of their concerns.
I think, overall, families are positive about the change to the NDIS, but it is a different way of doing things. We acknowledge that. Any change in this sector comes with anxiety and apprehension and we need to address that. But we are doing everything we can, and we will continue to do so. As problems and questions arise—and people will, I think, as the information rolls out, have more questions—we stand ready to help those families and make sure that they are comfortable with the changes when they come into effect at the end of the year. We will work with those families.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra) (4.39): I am pleased to speak about the services provided by disability, education and Therapy ACT and to remind the Assembly of the government’s plans for a future of choice and control for people affected by disability. On Monday, Minister Burch met with families, providers and staff who have an interest in early intervention services.
Madam Deputy Speaker, this is a time of change, as we have heard, and forums such as this are a very important way to hear the comments and concerns of the community and for the government to give clear information that can assist people affected by disability to feel less anxious about the future.
During the forum the changes that will take place to increase choice and control were clearly outlined. It is very important to distinguish between early intervention programs which have been provided within the education setting and therapy services which are provided by Therapy ACT. Making this distinction will assist families to feel less confused about the support they will receive during this transition period.
So, to be clear, let me state again that early intervention, small group programs are being transitioned to the non-government sector from the end of 2014. Early intervention is in the scope for the NDIS as it is a service specifically to support children with developmental delays or disabilities.
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