Published: 12 Dec 2012
The Queensland Government has finally caved in to community demands by signing up to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Queensland Liberal Premier Campbell Newman has previously said that Queensland cannot afford a better system of support for people with a disability and refused to sign up to the Gillard Government’s national scheme.
MUA National Secretary, Paddy Crumlin, said the NDIS was a necessary reform and state governments had felt a backlash when they tried to stand in the way of this historic policy.
“There was intense public pressure on Campbell Newman’s Government to do what all the other states were agreeing to do – get involved in this historic scheme that will help change the lives of so many Australians affected by disability,” Mr Crumlin said.
“Everyone knew Premier Newman was only interested in playing politics on this issue, along with Liberal Premiers Barry O’Farrell and Colin Barnett.
“It was a disgraceful thing to do and it is no surprise that the Newman Government has finally been forced to sign up.
“As a result of a community backlash against Premier Newman’s intransigence, around 100,000 Queenslanders with disabilities will benefit from this new scheme.
“Australians are now waiting for Colin Barnett to sign up to the scheme so that Western Australians can also have the benefits of the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” Mr Crumlin said.
