NCOSS Backs NSW Government in Push to get Vital NDIS Funding Released

Friday, 21 February 2020

NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has welcomed the call from NSW Disability Services Minister, Gareth Ward that the Federal Government should release vital NDIS funding.

NCOSS CEO, Joanna Quilty said the funding was crucial to supporting people in NSW living with a disability.

“The NSW Government is standing up for people living with disability in NSW and the Federal Government needs to listen and release these funds,” Ms Quilty said.

“It is simply not right that the Federal Government is hoarding this funding away, when there is clear demand in NSW for this funding to be rolled out.”

Ms Quilty said the issue was particularly acute for people with mental health issues in NSW.

“Programs previously provided by the Federal Government to support people with mental health issues have ceased on the basis that they would be rolled into the NDIS,” Ms Quilty said.

“But we know that there has been low take up of NDIS packages by people with psychosocial disability because the system is so difficult to access, and now we see that NDIS funds are being withheld. 

“This is not fair on those struggling with mental health issues who are not getting the support they need.

“It means more people with psychosocial disability ending up in emergency departments and homelessness services.”

Research recently released by NCOSS and NATSEM at the University of Canberra found that people with disability are more than twice as likely to live in a low-income household compared to people without disability.

“We know that many people living with disability are living in economic disadvantage and the NDIS is supposed to be there to support them.

“We therefore urge the Federal Government to listen to Minister Ward and release these vital funds to the people who need it most.”

To find out more about NCOSS, visit: www.ncoss.org.au

Media contact: Zoe Landry 0450 286 290