To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives:

The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House that the current system of tax-payer-funded cared accommodation, respite & support services, for citizens with disabilities aged less than 65 years is grossly inadequate to meet even urgent accommodation and care needs. There are thousands of urgent cases of persons on 'years -long' waiting lists, and family caregivers are in despair. It will take strong political will to reform the disability sector. We the undersigned are aware that an accident of life, birth or illness can have enormous implications for our family and one in five families nation-wide.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to:

1. Take immediate action to implement a National Disability Insurance Scheme, funded through compulsory contributions, in order to protect present and future generations of Australians against the cost of disability care and support services.

2. We urge you, as our elected representatives, to take immediate bi-partisan action to create a properly planned and fully funded insurance scheme in order that all Australians who have, or who acquire disabilities, are provided with appropriate services to meet their current and future needs. For this urgent necessity we do humbly pray.

from 701 citizens