Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 125 standing in my name be taken as formal and I also seek leave to add Senator Brown as having joined with me in moving the motion.

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senator Brown, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was introduced to improve the supports, choice and accessibility for people with disability;

(b) notes reports that blind and vision-impaired Australians have been unable to access the NDIS because materials such as the application form and pamphlets are not available in braille or large print;

(c) acknowledges that blind and vision-impaired Australians continue to face barriers to joining the NDIS; and

(d) calls on the Minister for Social Services to commit to addressing these barriers and to work with the National Disability Insurance Agency to ensure that all information and documentation for the NDIS is accessible for the vision-impaired.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor will be supporting this motion and in doing so highlights the need for the Minister for Social Services and the National Disability Insurance Agency to act swiftly to address accessibility barriers hindering blind and vision impaired Australians' participation in the NDIS. We know that the NDIS is already transforming the lives of thousands of Australians with a disability. Blind and vision impaired Australians who are entitled to receive care and support as part of the NDIS should not be prevented from becoming a part of this. The NDIS cannot afford any more mistakes and missteps from Mr Porter and the Turnbull government. Each and every stuff-up is undermining confidence in this critical social reform. It is time for Mr Porter to fix the problems of the NDIS rollout. Thousands of people with a disability, their families and their carers are relying on the scheme to improve their lives.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government supports the motion. The government acknowledges the importance of making the National Disability Insurance Scheme accessible for all people with disability and is already working with the National Disability Insurance Agency to improve accessibility for the blind and vision impaired.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Siewert and others be agreed to.

Question agreed to.