NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee) (15:22): My question is to the Minister for Disabilities. Can the minister update the house on the progress of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in South Australia?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:23): I thank the member for Lee for this important question. Mr Speaker, 2013 has been a landmark year for people living with a disability, their families and carers. The ongoing rollout of the NDIS in South Australia is improving disability services as well as providing a greater level of control and decision-making for people whose lives are affected by disabilities.

More specifically, the rollout is currently encompassing young children from birth to three years and, from the beginning of 2014, the transition will extend to children up to four years. Progressively, over the next three years, children up to the age of 14 will become eligible for services under the NDIS. The following two years, that is 2016-17 and 2017-18, will see more people transition to the NDIS, and from 2018 the scheme will be available to all eligible people with a disability.

In the immediate time, though, as of 1 July this year, a mum or dad receiving the news that their newborn child has Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or any disability recognised at birth will be able to decide for themselves how to manage their care and support. As I am sure many members are aware, early intervention is critical, particularly when there is strong evidence that it will substantially improve, or arrest a decline in, the function of a child.

In recognising the importance of early intervention, the NDIS will provide for individualised funding and support which will be directly related to addressing the impact of a disability on each individual child's daily life. Again, this will be crucial to young families just starting out and facing the reality of caring for and nurturing a newborn baby with a disability. I am advised that, since 1 July of this year, more than 200 National Disability Insurance Agency plans for young people have been approved, and more than 170 are in progress.

The Weatherill government strives to give every chance to every child, and the reforms we are now witnessing with these first young people transitioning to the NDIS gives depth to that creed. By implementing this reform, we are not only improving the lives of individuals, we are also contributing to the prosperity of every South Australian. When I meet with young people living with a disability almost all of them say that they simply aspire to be like everybody else. They want a career, a house of their own and the ability to make their own way in life.

In providing the best levels of care and the most comprehensive approach to early intervention, we help make the goals of these individuals a reality and, in turn, help them to be fully functioning individuals in our society. The rollout of the NDIS in South Australia has occurred because the Weatherill government has made it happen. We have increased funding to disability more than five times over since the Liberal Party was in government: from $132 million in 2002 to $723 million in the current budget forward estimates. We are seeing the new federal Liberal government starting to chip away at the NDIS and softening up the sector for reductions and cuts.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Education is warned.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: The state Liberal Party should clarify what its position is on these proposed cuts to the NDIS.

Members interjecting:

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order: debate.

The SPEAKER: Before we get to that, the member for Morialta will withdraw what he just said about the minister.

Mr GARDNER: I withdraw, sir.

The SPEAKER: Good.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: We will continue to be a government for positive disability reform and a government that will ensure the NDIS brings real change to the lives of people living with a disability and their families.

The SPEAKER: I think the point of order's relevance has now dissipated with the minister finishing his answer.