Victorian Premier Denis Napthine and Minister for Disability Services and Reform Mary Wooldridge have called on the Prime Minister to commit to establishing the headquarters of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Geelong.
“Victoria’s offer of $25 million towards the headquarters has now been on the table for more than eight months,” Dr Napthine said.
“Prime Minister Julia Gillard has said herself that Geelong has a strong case to be the host. What we need now is a genuine commitment.”
Dr Napthine in Geelong to visit Geelong disability services provider Karingal, said the city was an ideal choice to host the headquarters for the NDIS agency.
“Geelong has a strong local disability services sector, currently on track to launch the scheme in the Barwon region on 1 July this year,” Dr Napthine said.
“There is strong local government, business and community support for both the NDIS and the establishment of its headquarters in Geelong.
“Geelong has the required capacity and infrastructure to run the scheme, including the expertise and experience of the Transport Accident Commission.
“In fact, the successful transfer of the TAC to Geelong from its original base in Melbourne proves the area is capable of establishing and hosting a large scale social insurance agency.
“Local infrastructure includes a regional airport, Deakin University and Gordon TAFE – both of which run NDIS workforce-related courses.
“Victoria is also the only state to put money on the table to host the NDIS agency with our $25 million offer. All we need now is for the Prime Minister to say ‘yes’,” Dr Napthine said.
Ms Wooldridge said state government had committed more than $300 million for disability services in the Barwon region over the trial period.
