Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Government Services) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, I congratulate you, Mr President, on your appointment. Thank you very much, Senator Smith, for the question, and thank you also for your passion for and commitment to the people of the Kimberley.

Since becoming Minister for the NDIS six months ago, I've been listening and consulting widely on all aspects of the scheme. Recently I spent a week travelling across the Kimberley region to hear and see firsthand the impact of thin markets on how the NDIS is able to support people with disability in regional and remote communities. This included many meetings, such as the ones with staff, volunteers and organisers at the Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Service in Halls Creek, the women's resource centre in Fitzroy Crossing, the Lions Outback Vision institute in Broome and the East Kimberley All Abilities Sports and Recreation program in Kununurra. I thank them all for their hospitality, their time and their openness. This allowed me to hear and see firsthand how the NDIS is transforming lives. However, it also allowed me to see firsthand the challenges in providing care and support in remote and regional communities.

The negative impact on thin markets is very clear. The workforce shortages further exacerbate service availability. Average plan budgets in the Kimberley are actually around $10,000 higher than the national average, while utilisation is 20 per cent lower, at 51 per cent. Quite clearly, this needs to change nationally. I hope to bring forward legislation this year to start addressing these problems of thin markets by providing the NDIA with more flexible commissioning models. The level and the quality of support received by any Australian on the NDIS should never ever be determined by where they live, but today, sadly, with thin markets, that is still the case.