National Disability Insurance Scheme

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Disabilities. Can the minister inform the house how the National Disability Insurance Scheme will provide new employment opportunities for South Australians?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:49): I thank the member for her question and note her long interest in the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I had the pleasure last week of joining Mark Kulinski, Chief Executive of Community Living Australia, and Freddie Brincat OAM, Executive Director of Community Bridging Services, to announce new data released by National Disability Services and the Every Australian Counts campaign.

This data reconfirmed existing government estimates that the NDIS will create around 6,000 jobs here in South Australia. The researchers also looked at the direct employment gains in different industries, sectors and regions in our state. The modelling undertaken, in partnership with the Centre for Applied Disability Research, shows increases in employment opportunities across the economy and include 891 new direct jobs in health care and social assistance; 600 direct jobs in manufacturing; 532 direct jobs in retail trade; 473 direct jobs in construction; 456 in education and training; 339 in professional, scientific and technical services; and 280 jobs in administrative and support services.

Importantly, these figures also take into account the anticipated number of carers who will wish to re-enter the labour market following the implementation of the NDIS. Further to this, the government's own analysis is now showing that considerable employment benefits will be spread across the state, and I am sure the members opposite will be interested. In the Yorke and Mid North region, covering the electorates of the members for Frome and Goyder, it is estimated there will be around 400 new jobs. In the Murray Mallee region, the electorates of the members for Hammond and Chaffey could potentially expect to have 300 new jobs.

In the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island region in the member for Finniss' patch, there will be roughly 200 new jobs. In western Adelaide, covering the electorates of the members for Croydon, West Torrens, Colton and Lee, it is estimated there will be roughly 800 new jobs; and in southern Adelaide, covering the electorates of the members for Bright, Mitchell, Mawson, Reynell and Kaurna, there is expected to be an additional 1,300 new jobs. In the northern Adelaide region, where my electorate resides alongside the electorates of Little Para, Ramsay, Napier and Playford, there are expected to be 750 new jobs.

This builds on the government's $4 million investment in the disability employment hub in the northern suburbs as part of the Look North announcement. This hub will foster employment growth through training and further education in employment for automotive workers, upskilling existing workers and encouraging university students to enter the disability sector.

I would like to congratulate National Disability Services and the Every Australian Counts campaign for the research that they have undertaken, which is yet to be released. It is important that all sides of politics work together to ensure this important transformational scheme delivers all it needs to for the people who are looking so much towards it.