Minister for the NDIS the Hon. Bill Shorten MP today announced Louise Glanville as the new Commissioner of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission, taking over from Acting Commissioner Mike Phelan APM.
Minister Shorten said Ms Glanville will bring a wealth of operational and sector experience to the role as the former Deputy CEO of the National Disability and Insurance Agency.
"Ms Glanville's experience in both the disability and legal sector sends a message of regulatory rigour and deep policy experience to prioritise safety and quality at this key time for the sector," said Minister Shorten.
"Our Government recognised the need to reform and invest in the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission with a major budget uplift to ensure it is adequately resourced with both people and systems."
Incoming Commissioner Louise Glanville said, "This appointment is a great privilege. I am looking forward to returning to the national disability space.
"A lot has changed since I left the NDIA in 2017, however, something that has not, is my passion for the NDIS - advocating for the rights of people with disability as well as a sustainable NDIS into the future. I feel a sense of unfinished business here, and now is the right time to take on this role.
"Balancing quality and safeguards are essential to this role, both need attention. Advocacy and quality service delivery is core to Victorian Legal Aid where I have spent the past six years as CEO."
Acting Commissioner Michael Phelan has also engaged Natalie Wade, who will assist the Acting Commissioner with responsibility for Registration and Reform. Ms Wade who has outstanding experience in law and lived experience as a woman with disability.
"Ms Wade's experience as a leading disability rights lawyer and the critical work as the Chair of the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce will ensure the next phase of reform to be developed and executed by the NDIS Commission will be in very competent hands," Minister Shorten said,
Incoming Associate Commissioner Natalie Wade said, "This is a significant moment in our nation's continued commitment to advancing the rights of people with disabilities in Australia. We must create systems and structures that promote quality and safe services for all people with disabilities and this role is an important step toward achieving that."
"I am deeply honoured to accept the role and have the opportunity to lead these once-in-a-generation reforms. As a human rights lawyer and disabled woman, I am looking forward to working bringing together governments, the disability community and sector to deliver reform that centres the rights of people with disabilities."
Outgoing Acting Commissioner, Mike Phelan APM said, "It has been a significant period of reform at the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission since I started in this role in March 2024 which is why I decided to introduce the Associate Commissioner role to drive the important reforms".
