[dbaust] Fw: Every Australian Counts - the campaign for a National Disability Insurance Scheme - Victoria and Tasmania - E- Update
- From: "Heather Lawson" <lawsonhj@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <dbaust@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:46:24 +1100
Hello all
Hope you are all well. For your info, see below.
Cheers Heather
----- Original Message -----
From: James O'Brien
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 5:20 PM
Subject: Every Australian Counts - the campaign for a National Disability
Insurance Scheme - Victoria and Tasmania - E- Update
Dear NDIS supporter,
It has been a massive couple of weeks on the campaign as we continue to
progress towards a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
We now have 86,000 registered supporters right across the nation and this
figure continues to grow. We want 100,000 supporters on board by the end of
this year - with your help we can do this.
We are running a national campaign action from 27 November - Spread the Word
week - in the lead up to 3 December - International Day of People with
Disabilities.
Some of the practical things you can do as part of Spread the Word week
include:
- Hold a stall in your community - this could be outside your local
supermarket.
- Letter-box 40 houses in your community with NDIS info
- sign up 10 of your friends as campaign supporters.
- promote the NDIS through your own International Day of People with
Disabilities activities.
On their own these are little things however undertaken simultaneously right
across the nation, they can make a big difference.
Remember our DisabiliTEA event back in August where over 20,000 people attended
almost 1,000 events around Australia?
To take part in the Spread the Word week action go to:
http://www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au/act_now/
Lobbying our politicians:
Our progress so far has relied on our campaigners contacting our Federal MPs
and enlisting them as campaign champions.
A number of Federal MPs in Victoria and Tasmania have been very active both
supporting the NDIS in Parliament or in their communities.
We have covered most MPs, however there are a handful MPs yet to be contacted.
To this end, I am seeking volunteers to meet with the following MPs in
Victoria:
- Sophie Mirabella MP - Member for Indi – based in Wangaratta
- Nicola Roxon MP - Member for Gellibrand – based in Maribyrnong
- Maria Vamvakinou MP - Member for Calwell – based in Broadmeadows
- Anthony Byrne MP - Member for Holt – based in Dandenong
Please contact me if you are able to help out with a visit to these MPs.
Last month, we had a very successful breakfast event at Parliament House in
Canberra which attracted over 80 Federal MPs, including the Prime Minister as
well as many Ministers and Shadow Ministers.
The PM addressed the event, as did Senator Mitch Fifield on behalf of the
Coalition and Senator Rachel Siewart on behalf of the Greens.
There are many lobby groups who would be very envious of having 80 MPs from
right across the political spectrum attend a Parliament House event!
The NDIS is well recognised by our politicians but we must keep the pressure
on. Things can change rapidly in the world of politics and if we let our guard
slip other priorities could overtake us.
For photos of the breakfast event, click here:
http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/every_australian_counts_mp_breakfast_photo_gallery/
What is happening with the NDIS at COAG?
We are pleased to report that progress is being made through the Select Council
of the Council of Australian Governments which has been established oversee the
design of the NDIS.
The Government recently announced its intention to advance the 'foundation
work' necessary to underpin the NDIS by 12 months compared to the original
timetable outlined by the NDIS.
The Tasmanian and Victorian Governments continue to make a positive
contribution to this process.
You can read more about this here:
http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2011/Pages/Earlydeliveryoffoundationreform_nids_20_oct_2011.aspx
We obviously urge COAG to move as quickly as possible to advance the NDIS and
for all sides of politics to maintain the multi-partisan approach and good will
that has characterised the NDIS to date.
Campaign ask:
Our campaign ask for 2012 is that the Government and COAG are able to:
- legislate the NDIS
- establish the National Disability Insurance Agency to administer the
NDIS and:
- announce the locations of the NDIS launch sites
The Government will need to provided sufficient funding in the 2012-13 Federal
Budget which is handed down in May for all of these things to occur.
Both the Victorian and Tasmanian Governments are very keen to host the launch
sites and there is strong interest from New South Wales.
Upcoming NDIS events:
There are a number of campaign events coming up in Victoria and Tasmania we
would love people to be part of.
These include:
Wednesday 9 November from 7.30am – 8.45am, the Melbourne Anglicans are hosting
a ‘Conversation with the Archbishop’ event titled – the challenges of
disability: how Australia can do better.
The Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne Dr Philip Freier will discuss the
challenges of disability and the NDIS with Bill Shorten MP, Assistant Treasurer
and Dr Rhonda Galbally AO, Chair of the National People with Disability and
Carers Advisory Council.
The event will be on at the BMW Edge Theatre at Melbourne’s Federation Square.
All are welcome and admission is free. Detail of the event can be found at:
http://www.melbourne.anglican.com.au/NewsAndViews/WhatsOn/Lists/Events%20Calendar/DisplayForm.aspx?Source=%2f&ID=74
Wednesday 9 November at 12pm at ZINC at Federation Square in Melbourne,
disability support organisation Independence Australia is hosting the next of
its Leaders’ Lunch events.
Hosted by Independence Australia, this event will involve a panel discussion
moderated by ABC Radio’s Jon Faine will examine a number of issues critical to
the NDIS.
Panellists include:
- John Della Bosca – Director of the Every Australian Counts campaign
- Kevin Andrews MP – the Federal Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and
Human Services
- Milly Parker – Member of the National Disability and Carers Council
For further details contact Laura Skillen on 03 9418 0463 or
email laura.skillen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Friday 11 November: NDIS forum hosted by Federal MP for LaTrobe - Laura Smyth
MP with Minister Jenny Macklin MP
When: Friday 11 November at 3.30pm at Knoxbrooke, Burwood Highway, Ferntree
Gully. RSVP to Laura's office on: 9796 1788
Sunday 13 November:
Rudely Interrupted and special guests will play a special matinee show to
promote the NDIS on Sunday 13 November at 1.30pm at the Northcote Social Club
at 301 High Street, Northcote.
Tickets are $15 can be purchased on the day or by calling the Northcote Social
Club on 03 9489 3917 – the venue is fully accessible.
Check out the promo clip for the show with the Spicks and Specks gang at:
http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/spicks_and_specks_stars_say_count_me_in/
Myf Warhurst from Spicks and Specks also tweeted to her 30,000 supporters to
have them back the NDIS as well!
Wednesday 23 November:
National Press Club event in Canberra to support the Every Australian Counts
campaign. 11.45am -1.30pm - Speakers include Rhonda Galbally, Peter Darch and
Dr Paul Brock
http://www.npc.org.au/speakers/peter-darch-dr-rhonda-galbally-dr.html
Further campaign events are also being planned for December.
Our supporters list continues to grow:
While it is very heartening to see the campaign supporters counter continuing
to tick over on www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au, there are also a number of
organisations that have backed the campaign in recent months.
These include:
· Cisco Systems Australia -
http://blogs.cisco.com/news/cisco-supports-%E2%80%9Cevery-australian-counts%E2%80%9D-campaign-for-a-national-disability-insurance-scheme/
· Mental Illness Fellowship of Victoria -
http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/leading_mental_health_organisation_backs_an_ndis/
· Hobart City Council -
http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/hobart_city_council_backs_the_ndis/
· Burnie City Council -
http://www.burnie.net/council/agendas-minutes/files/201108-MON.pdf
· Melbourne Anglicans
-http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/melbourne_anglicans_support_thendis
Apologies to the many other supporter organisations who I haven't listed here
...
Further, there are a number of organisations who have highlighted the benefits
of the NDIS.
For example, the Victorian Economic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI)
recently promoted the potential positive employment impacts if the NDIS at:
http://blog.vecci.org.au/tag/ndis/
20/20 Big Bash stars help out:
The campaign also attracted star Victorian 20/20 Big Bash cricketers Michael
Hill and John Hastings.
Check them out with Geelong campaign champ Lynne Foreman at a recent All
Abilities cricket game in Geelong by clicking here:
http://www.facebook.com/everyaustraliancounts#!/photo.php?fbid=287716047917045&set=a.190313724323945.44104.181990485156269&type=1&theater
Wrap up:
A sincere thank you to all campaigners who continue to work so hard to advance
the NDIS. It has been a big year so far but we can’t relax just yet.
While some big gains have been made this year however at the end of the day, we
have a long, long way to go before the NDIS is a reality.
To achieve our goal, keep spreading the word and encourage friends, families
and colleagues to sign up as campaign supporters at:
www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any information about the NDIS
or the Every Australian Counts campaign.
James O'Brien
State Campaign Coordinator-NDIS
Victoria & Tasmania
Ph: (03) 8341 4316
Fax: (03) 8341 4333
Email: james.obrien@xxxxxxxxxxx
Web: everyaustraliancounts.com.au
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- » [dbaust] Fw: Every Australian Counts - the campaign for a National Disability Insurance Scheme - Victoria and Tasmania - E- Update - Heather Lawson