The Australian Government has today announced two appointments to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Board and five appointments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Independent Advisory Council (IAC). These appointments bolster the number of people with disability and bring strong lived and professional experience into key leadership positions for the NDIS.
Minister Shorten said the Board appointments were made with the unanimous support of state and territory disability ministers, and the IAC appointments were in close consultation, ensuring the individuals had the requisite skills, experience and knowledge for their roles.
These appointments continue to strengthen the capability of the NDIA Board and strengthen the quality of advice to the Board from the IAC during this critical period of NDIS reforms.
This builds on the significant investment of $783.5 million the Government made in the NDIA to continue to support current NDIA participants and to begin implementation of a new planning framework - announced on Tuesday 17 December 2024.
Dr Rhonda Galbally AC and Ms Leah van Poppel will undertake new terms on the NDIA Board.
The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Bill Shorten said both Dr Galbally and Ms van Poppel bring significant experience from the sector and from their previous Board experience.
"Dr Galbally has an extraordinary understanding of the disability sector and of the NDIS, and has already proved how invaluable this is in her previous terms as a Board member and as Chair of the Independent Advisory Council," Minister Shorten said.
"Most recently Dr Galbally was a Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, and the sum of her experience will bring an unprecedented insight to the Board.
"Ms van Poppel will return for a second 3-year term on both the NDIA Board and as Principal Member for the IAC. Ms van Poppel has already made a significant contribution to both the Board and as Principal Member of the IAC, and together with her previous Board experience including her time with the Women with Disabilities Victoria, will continue to make a valuable contribution to the work of the NDIS."
Five new members will also join the IAC, representing the interests of NDIS participants and advising the NDIA Board on opportunities and issues impacting participants and their families and carers. The IAC play a key role in co-design and consultation in the NDIA and the diverse and lived experience these individuals bring will continue to strengthen this work.
Minister Shorten said he was very pleased to welcome the highly accomplished and knowledgeable new members to the IAC.
"We welcome Vaughn Bennison, Associate Professor Lorna Hallahan, Dr Gill Hicks AM MBE, Andrew Vodic and Jane Wardlaw to the IAC, each bringing lengthy careers within the disability sector, as well as their own personal lived experience as people with disability," Minister Shorten said.
"As the NDIS undergoes significant reform to ensure it can best support people with disability now and into the future, it is critical NDIS participants' voices are represented by experts from their own community, which each of these new members are.
"The strength of their collective experience and their commitment demonstrates the IAC's crucial role in the NDIS."
Minister Shorten also thanked outgoing NDIA Board members Meredith Allan and Dr Peta Seaton AM, and outgoing IAC members Sylvana Mahmic, Adjunct Associate Professor Jennifer Cullen AM, James Manders and Dr George Taleporos.
"Ms Allan and Dr Seaton have made an incredible contribution to the NDIA Board, and I thank both for sharing their expertise in helping to shape the direction of the Scheme during this time," Minister Shorten said.
"I also extend my gratitude on behalf of the Government to each of the departing IAC members - Sylvana, Jennifer, James and George - for their service in representing the interests of participants as the NDIS has been undergoing significant change.
"The NDIS will succeed only if the voices of participants are at its centre, and they have each played a significant role in making that a reality in their time on the IAC."
The new Board and IAC members will each serve a term of three years.
