Local Federal Member for Oxley today held a Community NDIS Forum with a strong attendance by local residents who raised concerns about a lack of support for providers and participants.

This included prolonged delays in processing times for applications, a lack of information for service providers and community transport services citing severe funding shortages.

Mr Dick said the NDIS which was established under the previous Labor Government would assist more than 33,000 people with disability from the local region by June 2019, however had some serious shortcomings under the current government.

“It was great to see lots of local residents attend today’s forum, but it was clear that there are many frustrations with the current system” said Mr Dick.

“This included providers who raised alarms bells that the NDIS is under resourced and failing to meet the needs of participants.

“This was confirmed in this year’s Final Budget Outcome 2017-18 papers that the current government has underspent on the NDIS by $2.5 billion dollars meaning 40,000 people who should have access to the NDIS are currently missing out”

Local service provider Lucy Bourdain said she and many other providers had experienced big problems navigating the NDIS system.

“The NDIS needs to streamline their services and communication so that providers and residents are more informed about the choices they have” said Ms Bourdain.

“More and more people will continue to miss out on the support they need if we don’t seen big changes.”

The estimated value of NDIS supports in the region will be $1,580 million by 2020.

The NDIS will also create jobs. 10,750 – 13,150 jobs are expected to be created in the Ipswich, Brisbane and Logan area to meet local demand for disability services and supports.