The new council brings together leaders from business and the disability and carer sectors, to provide advice on proposed policies and legislation affecting people with disability, carers and the sector that serves them.

Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, Jane Prentice said the Council will provide advice on issues of strategic importance at a time of major reform in the disability and carer sectors.

“The Council will play an important role in helping to drive the implementation of the overarching National Disability Strategy 2010-20,” she said.

“It will also look at reforms in disability employment and carer support, and the full roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, including the interfaces with mainstream services.

“Members represent every state and territory as well as business and the disability and carer sector, and advocates.”

Prentice said that she will co-chair the Council with Keran Howe and said Howe is well respected as a strong advocate in the sector.

The council will meet formally at least twice a year and establish working groups and community consultations as needed.

Members of the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council are:

1. Hon. Jane Prentice MP (Co-Chair)
2. Keran Howe (Co-Chair)
3. Donna Bain
4. Nell Brown
5. Paul Coates
6. Jennifer Cullen
7. Wilhelm Harnisch
8. Christine Kerr
9.  Greg Madson
10. Jessica May
11. Teresa Pilbeam
12.  Frank Quinlan
13. Gayle Rankine
14. Sally Sinclair
15. Martin Stokie
16. Steve Vitone
17. Elizabeth Wall