The groundbreaking and widely popular National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) when introduced by Labor almost three years ago called for it to begin its transition to the full scheme by July 2016 – requiring all states and territories to sign up to it.

Delegates to the national disability services CEOs conference recently heard there was no room to delay the start of the transition to the full National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across Australia from July 1 next year, as originally planned when Labor passed its legislation in 2013.

Shadow minister for disability reform, Jenny Macklin said she did not support any delay to the rollout.

“This is for one simple reason: people with disability have waited long enough,” Macklin told the conference. “They should not have to wait any longer.

“I am conscious of the skill and toil put into making the scheme a success thus far, and I know it will get more challenging as we ramp up, not less,” she said.

“People with disability, their families and service providers now have some certainty.”

Bilateral agreements for the full scheme have been finalised in the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

“They were a long time coming, but it is great news for all those who have fought so hard to secure the future of the NDIS,” said Macklin.

“The agreements mean that people with disability, their families and service providers now have some certainty about the nature of the rollout,” she said.

“The bilateral agreements with these remaining jurisdictions must be secured and signed as a matter of urgency.

“We will keep listening to you, and learning from you.”

“Participants and families need this certainty, and they need this time to get ready for an entirely new approach to accessing care and support.”

Labor has committed to contributing to the public discussion on the NDIS and on broader disability policy.

“We will do what we can to ensure the NDIS delivers its core promise to the people who need it: the promise of decency, security, independence and opportunity,” the shadow minister said.

“And we will keep listening to you, and learning from you, as you help carry out this once-in-a-generation, transformational social change.

“Building the NDIS thus far has been challenging, and I know it will get more challenging still.

“It will require you to keep leading this change — to keep changing lives,” she said.