Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Williams. Today is a great day for Australians with disability, their families and also their carers.

Senator Cameron interjecting—

Thank you, Senator Cameron. Today I had the great pleasure of joining the Prime Minister, Premier Baird and Premier Andrews for the signing of the intergovernmental agreements between New South Wales and Victoria for the full rollout of the NDIS through Victoria and through New South Wales. These agreements will see more than half of the eligible NDIS population nationwide covered by the scheme. It is important to emphasise at this point that I am working hard on concluding agreements with the other jurisdictions in relation to the NDIS in the other states and territories. This agreement delivers on the heads of agreement that was signed by the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments to implement the full scheme across New South Wales by July 2018 and in Victoria to implement the full scheme across that state by July 2019.

It is important to emphasise that the NDIS is the core business of government, helping people who face extra challenges for reasons beyond their control.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Can I say, Mr President—and I hope Australians with disabilities and their families understand—the continued interjecting by those opposite during an answer about the National Disability Insurance Scheme was appalling. (Time expired)