The Australian government has announced a series of appointments aimed at bolstering representation of individuals with disabilities on the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) board and its Independent Advisory Council (IAC).
Two members will continue their service on the NDIA board, while five new members will join the IAC, bringing lived experience and sector expertise to these key leadership roles.
Dr Rhonda Galbally AC and Ms Leah van Poppel have been reappointed to the NDIA board for new three-year terms. NDIS Minister Bill Shorten noted their extensive contributions to the agency and the broader disability sector.
Galbally, a former commissioner on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability, was praised for her deep understanding of the sector.
“Dr Galbally has an extraordinary understanding of the disability sector and of the NDIS and has already proved how invaluable this is in her previous terms as a board member and as chair of the Independent Advisory Council,” Shorten said.
Van Poppel, who also resumes her role as principal member of the IAC, was recognised for her continued leadership and advocacy for people with disabilities.
“Ms van Poppel has already made a significant contribution to both the board and as principal member of the IAC, and together with her previous board experience including her time with the Women with Disabilities Victoria, will continue to make a valuable contribution to the work of the NDIS,” Shorten said.
The five new members joining the IAC are:
Their responsibilities will include providing advice to the NDIA board on matters affecting participants and their families, as well as contributing to the agency’s ongoing co-design initiatives. Each of these appointees brings firsthand experience as a person with a disability, along with significant professional backgrounds in the sector.
Shorten emphasised the importance of these appointments, particularly as the NDIS continues its reform agenda.
“As the NDIS undergoes significant reform to ensure it can best support people with disability now and into the future, it is critical NDIS participants’ voices are represented by experts from their own community, which each of these new members are,” he said.
Outgoing members – including Meredith Allan and Dr Peta Seaton AM from the NDIA board, and IAC members Sylvana Mahmic, adjunct associate professor Jennifer Cullen AM, James Manders, and Dr George Taleporos – were acknowledged for their contributions during a time of substantial transformation for the NDIS.
“Ms Allan and Dr Seaton have made an incredible contribution to the NDIA board, and I thank both for sharing their expertise in helping to shape the direction of the Scheme during this time,” Shorten said. “I also extend my gratitude on behalf of the government to each of the departing IAC members for their service in representing the interests of participants as the NDIS has been undergoing significant change.”
These appointments coincide with recently implemented changes to the NDIS, which aim to clarify how participants can use their funding. The new rules, introduced on Oct. 3, establish a more precise framework for approved supports, ensuring funds are used for their intended purposes.
