Disability plan to free new workforce

The Productivity Commission's report into the care of people with disabilities is due to be released later this week. We will hear much more on a National Disability Insurance Scheme over the next few days and weeks, as the report is analysed and responded to.  Today's Australian newspaper reports a statement from the Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten on the potential economic benefits.  Sue Dunlevy writes:

Australia could afford a $7 billion national disability insurance scheme if it were phased in over five to six years and it could free up a part-time workforce of 500,000 carers, says Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten.   

A week before the Productivity Commission hands down its final report on the issue, Mr Shorten said the government had an appetite for the reform and gave his personal commitment to the scheme he said would be a test of "Labor values".

Delivering early intervention and proper disability services to people as a right could free up the nation's half a million full-time carers to work part-time, unlocking a massive new workforce as
a skills shortage gripped the nation.

In its draft report in March, the Productivity Commission called for a national disability insurance scheme to fund high-quality long-term care and support for people with a disability. It also called for a national injury insurance scheme to be established to provide lifelong care and support for those who suffered a catastrophic injury such as loss of limb or spinal cord damage.