QLD Goes Solo On NDIS Trial

The Queensland Government is to go it alone with a limited trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme just weeks after refusing to take part in the Federal Government’s national scheme.

The Queensland Disability Services Minister Tracy Davis told a media conference that the State Government is looking for 1,300 families to take part in a trial which will allow them to individually choose and control how they manage their disability funding entitlement.

Davis said the move was a massive change to the way that they deliver disability services in Queensland.

The Minister said Queensland would trial one of the key elements of the Federal Government's NDIS proposals.

"What this Government is doing is offering a trial out to people with a disability in order for them to self-direct their funds," she said.

"What we are attempting to do is to align ourselves very cleanly with those elements of an NDIS that are being trialled presently, and it is a very exciting time."

Davis said the Government would also have to change State Legislation that only allows disability funding to go to incorporated entities to allow funding to be redirected to individuals.

Premier, Campbell Newman said the trial was the first step in Queensland’s plan to reform of the way his government delivers disability services.

He said his Cabinet has considered how it can do a better job and drive the dollars that are available further and give people a much better way forward on how they deal with their individual needs.

Disability groups in Queensland continued to pressure the Newman Government to deliver funds for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) after it failed to sign on to the Federal Government’s national trials and refused to contribute funds.