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

The government are very pleased that, with the Victorian government, we have agreed to a launch site in Victoria, in the Barwon region. From July this year, about 5,000 Victorians with significant and profound disabilities, their families and their carers will have their needs assessed and will start to receive individual care and support packages under the NDIS. This is an additional investment of more than $190 million by the Commonwealth in the Geelong region—direct investment in providing better care and support for people with disability, their families and their carers.

This means people with a disability in the Barwon region will be assessed to receive NDIS individualised care and support packages; have decision-making power about their care and support, including choice of service provider; be assisted by local coordinators to help manage and deliver their support; and access a system they can easily navigate that will link them to community services. It is a very welcome agreement and we look forward to the trial being rolled out— (Time expired)