Mr J. BULL — Last Wednesday I joined the Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, the member for Yuroke and the member for Pascoe Vale, as well as representatives from the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services for a community forum discussing the opportunities and challenges with the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS). I want to especially thank and acknowledge Simone Stevens, an NDIS Barwon trial participant but more importantly an outstanding woman who shared her story and is working hard with the Victorian government to make the NDIS the best it can be.

For a very long time disability service providers have not been given the support they need, and those with disabilities and their families have had to fight hard for the services, care and equipment that they need. People with disabilities are valued members of our society. They need the chance to reach their full potential, like we all do. Victoria can do better. We will do better. The national disability insurance scheme is coming. It is a big change; in fact it is one of the most important social reforms in our time.