Media Release

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter spoke in Parliament yesterday in support of the Bill for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) thanking the government for their bipartisan remarks but arguing that it must be distributed appropriately.

Mr Katter told the House of Representatives that the NDIS was long overdue and essential for people whose lives are impacted both directly and indirectly by disabilities.

“We are seeing that manifest today in this much needed and greatly overdue legislation. We pay the government and the opposition great tribute for their bipartisan remarks today".

Mr Katter, who has been impacted with a disability in his own family, spoke of his personal experiences and the relief that the NDIS could provide families that are struggling financially, mentally and physically.

“I have always been amazed that, through many generations on both sides of my family, we have never had a family member with a disability. Suddenly, one of my grandchildren was born with a very rare disease called Williams syndrome.

“The enormous psychological burden, the crushing burden that occurs can break a human being. If we can provide money for respite care, which I think would be one of the major uses for this money that will be a huge advantage. With this legislation, we will be able to overcome that problem.

“I plead with the Minister to take into account that this money needs to go to the person who has been born with a disability or has lost a limb through injury in their lifetime. The money should go to them and not be absorbed by the in-between people.

“The government are listening to the big service providers, where there is huge money involved. They are not listening to the small local groups that are on the ground working closely with people with disabilities.

“We would plead with the government to ensure that, unlike in the field of First Australian affairs, the money actually goes to the people it is supposed to go to and not to the do-gooders dreaming up new and ever more sophisticated methods of service delivery”.