New National Disability and Carers Advisory Council

A new advisory council has been established to work with the federal government on policies affecting people with disability and drive the implementation of the National Disability Strategy.

The new 17-member National Disability and Carers Advisory Council, announced on Monday, brings together leaders from business and the disability and carer sectors, to provide advice and recommendations on proposed policies and legislation affecting the disability and carer sector.

Women with Disabilities Victoria executive director Keran Howe has been appointed co-chair, alongside Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services Jane Prentice.

Prentice said the council would provide advice on issues of strategic importance at a time of major reform in the disability and carer sectors.

“The council will play an important role in helping to drive the implementation of the overarching National Disability Strategy 2010 to 2020,”  Prentice said.

“It will also look at reforms in disability employment and carer support, and the full rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, including the interfaces with mainstream services.

“Members represent every state and territory as well as business and the disability and carer sector, and advocates.

“I will co-chair the council with Ms Keran Howe, who is well respected as a strong advocate in the sector and who has lived experience.”

The council will meet formally at least twice a year and establish working groups and community consultations as needed.

It comes three years after the government abolished Labor’s National People with Disabilities and Carer Council.

Shadow Minister for Disability and Carers Carol Brown said Labor welcomed the new council.

“The Turnbull government has been without an advisory body on carers for three years. It was simply unacceptable,” Brown said.

“People with disability and their carers have had to wait too long for the Turnbull government to re-establish an advisory council.

“Labor welcomes today’s announcement and hopes the new council is able to get the government to progress work under the National Disability Strategy which provides a 10-year blueprint to improve the inclusion and participation of people with disability in Australia.”

Members of the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council are:

1. Hon. Jane Prentice MP (Co-Chair)
2. Keran Howe (Co-Chair)
3. Donna Bain
4. Nell Brown
5. Paul Coates
6. Jennifer Cullen
7. Wilhelm Harnisch
8. Christine Kerr
9. Greg Madson
10. Jessica May
11. Teresa Pilbeam
12. Frank Quinlan
13. Aunty Gayle Rankine
14. Sally Sinclair
15. Martin Stokie
16. Steve Vitone
17. Elizabeth Wall