New NDIA CEO & Chair

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has just announced significant changes in leadership at the National Disability Insurance Agency, including the new CEO, Chair and Board Member.

From 17 October, Rebecca Faulkingham will be the CEO of NDIA. She was previously the secretary of the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety.

Stepping into the role of Chair of the NDIA Board is none other than three time Paralympic gold medalist Kurt Fearnley. In addition to being a damn good athlete, Kurt is a passionate disability and NDIS advocate. He was a founding member of the NDIS Independent Advisory Council, and has been involved in a number of not-for-profits.

Joining the NDIA Board are former Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes and Maryanne Diamond, who has worked in a broad range of roles across government, advocacy and service provision. It has also been announced that Denis Napthine, who recently resigned from his role as Chair, will come back as a Board Member.

Kurt Fearnley is the first Chair of the NDIA Board who identifies as disabled. With the addition of Graeme Innes and Maryanne Diamond, the NDIA Board now has the highest representation of people with disability since its inception. Given the power the Chair and the Board have to determine the strategic direction for the Scheme, this is a big win, and we can only hope a positive sign of shifts in the Agency towards greater partnership with the disability community.