By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE Barwon launch of DisabilityCare Australia under the national disability insurance scheme will create 120 jobs, Federal Government has announced.
Minister for Disability Reform Jenny Macklin said in Geelong this week that preparations for the scheme, to begin in the middle of the year, were well-advanced.
The Government was recruiting staff with life experience in disability to deliver the scheme, she said.
“About 5000 people with disability in the Barwon region will benefit from the first stage of DisabilityCare Australia.
“The construction of the regional office in Geelong has already begun and we’re busy recruiting staff to work with local people with disability, their families and carers.
“While there will be a gradual transition to the scheme in the Barwon region, we want people to start benefiting as soon as possible, so we’re hiring extra staff to make sure this happens. We expect about 120 people will be employed as staff or contractors for DisabilityCare Australia in the region this year.”
Ms Macklin said the Government had shown its commitment to a full national roll-out of DisabilityCare Australia but was awaiting a commitment from the Victoria.
“I’m confident the Victorian Government will make disability a priority and I’m ready to sit down with Premier Napthine so we can work through the details of delivering the full scheme in Victoria.”
Mr Napthine recently launched a campaign for Geelong to hose the scheme headquarters.
State Government offered $25 million toward setting up the headquarters, he said.
