New council to advise the Government on disability and carers issues

21 March 2017

The National Disability and Carers Advisory Council will provide advice to the Minister for Social Services and help drive key government reform agendas impacting people with disability and carers.

On 14 December 2016, the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council (the Council) held its first meeting in Canberra. The Council will play an important role in helping to drive reform for people with disability and carers, including implementation of the National Disability Strategy 2010 – 2020, with the Second Implementation Plan released on 1 December 2016.

The Council will also advise Government on reforms to Disability Employment Services, and carer supports and services. The Council will be advising on issues relating to the full roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Council members include leaders with lived experience from the disability and carers sectors, as well as the business sector. The Council is co-chaired by Ms Keran Howe, Executive Director of Women with Disabilities Victoria, and the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, the Hon Jane Prentice MP.

Collaboration with the States and Territories is pivotal in achieving better outcomes for people with disability and carers, and the Council includes representation from every State and Territory.

The Council was announced by the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Christian Porter MP, and the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, the Hon Jane Prentice MP on 7 November 2016.

At its first meeting, the Council discussed and agreed on its Terms of Reference and the role of the Council in a number of key policy areas.

We will continue to share information and updates from the Council in the coming months. If you want to know more, visit the National Disability and Carers Council website.

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