Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Disability Reform) Share this | Hansard source

Once again, I thank the member for Corangamite, because it means a lot for people in and around Geelong in the Barwon region. Importantly, it will mean that the National Disability Insurance Scheme is real for 5,000 people with disabilities in the Barwon region. Then if you think about the carers and the families who have also been waiting far too long for a National Disability Insurance Scheme, this will end the wait for those 5,000 people.

In particular, the Commonwealth government will put an extra $190 million into the Barwon region alone. That $190 million will go to ensuring that there are extra services available and extra staff available in that area—and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the United Voice people who have been in the gallery today, the people who represent the disability workers who are doing such an important job.

This is a fundamental reform. It will make a difference to so many people in the Barwon region. Once again, I thank the member for Corangamite and the member for Corio for their advocacy.

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