Former Deputy PM Joins Campaign for NDIS

Tim Fischer has been appointed as NDIS Campaign Patron.

Former Deputy Prime Minister, Tim Fischer has joined forces with the Every Australian Counts campaign to help secure a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Tim Fischer has been appointed Campaign Patron. Campaign organisers say his first major role will be next Monday (April 30) at the Make It Real: NDIS 2012 rally at Olympic Park in Melbourne which will coincide with rallies across Australia.

Tim Fischer resigned as National Party leader and as a Minister in 1999, announcing he would not contest the 2001 election. His said his decision at the time was motivated partly by the demands of his family – in particular his son Harrison who has autism.

John Della Bosca, Every Australian Counts Campaign Director, said although he and Tim worked on different sides of politics, it was important for today’s politicians and the community to continue to work together on this vital issue.

“The bipartisanship we’ve seen to date at the national level must be maintained and also replicated among the States and Territories for the NDIS to succeed.

“It is a huge boost to our cause to have an individual of Mr Fischer’s calibre on board. He has been a champion for improved support for people with a disability and their families his entire public life and is continuing that passion.

“We are at a critical point of the campaign – the time has come for the Australian Parliament to take action to make the NDIS real.

“And I believe Mr Fischer is strongly placed to further build a case for the NDIS both to politicians and to the community. Tim knows Canberra, he knows politics and he knows how to convince ordinary Australians to support big ideas”.

Tim Fischer said: “My family has been touched by disability and I know first-hand our disability system is broken. In regional Australia it is even worse. Families have limited access to respite, can wait years for equipment and often have to move long distances to find a place for their children to live.”

“Disability can touch people in the city and the country and large and small families in various financial circumstances. It is an issue for every Australian and we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix it.

“The NDIS will enable people with a disability to aspire, achieve, put back into the community and get the support they desperately need. I believe 2012 is the year to make the NDIS real and am looking forward to being part of the campaign to finally make this great idea a reality,” Fischer added. 

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