City awaiting NDIS commitment

Federal Government has yet to commit to locating a National Disability Insurance Scheme agency in Geelong despite introducing legislation on the program in parliament this week.
The bill established NDIS Launch Transition Agency as an independent body to deliver the scheme.
But Victorian Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said the Government was silent on establishing the agency in Geelong despite a $25 million state commitment.
Ms Wooldridge said the NDIS legislation “needs significant work” before passing through parliament.
“The legislation does not give the Victorian Government an opportunity to agree who should be the chair of the transition agency, and therefore play a central role in managing the scheme.
“Victorian taxpayers are contributing around $300 million, representing 60 per cent of the funding for care and support in the Barwon launch site.”
The NDIS will provide about 5000 disabiled people in the Barwon region with access to comprehensive individual support packages from the middle of next year.
Ms Wooldridge said the legilsation omitted key details about scheme eligibility for the Barwon launch site.
Federal Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin said she expected parliament to vote on the NDIS legislation around February or March.
“Right now our focus is on getting the National Disability Insurance Scheme up and running in the Barwon region. That’s what people with disability, their families and carers rightly expect of us.”