Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

In response to the concerns, that is what I deliberately did in the primary question: I took on notice your specific concerns because I did not have a briefing regarding that. The senator and the Senate will know that, through the Council of Australian Governments, we are working with the states, and they have agreed with us that the NDIS ought to be a priority. A select council of treasurers and disability service ministers, chaired by the Commonwealth, has been established. Their work will drive us in achieving the National Disability Insurance Scheme, together with the advisory group that has been established. As to the specifics of their direct engagement with people with disability, I will take that on notice. I am sure that is occurring. I think everyone accepts that for too long we have had a top-down policy in this area and have not been listening as closely as we should to people with disability. I am sure there is sensitivity to those concerns, but, as to the exact arrangements, I will take that on notice. (Time expired)