MEMBER for Orange Andrew Gee said the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) would see a transfer of services to the non-government sector, bringing extra job opportunities to workers in the sector.
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“The NDIS will mean jobs in the disability and aged care sector are set to explode, with tens of thousands of new jobs set to come online across NSW,” he said.
“It’s estimated 25,000 additional new jobs will be needed in this state.
“Those currently employed in the sector are in prime position to snap up a whole range of new jobs.”
Mr Gee said change always brought uncertainty.
“Having spoken to disability and community workers in the sector, it’s clear that while there is certainly some understandable apprehension about the changes, I think there is also an acceptance that the sector is expanding and not contracting.”
Mr Gee said many workers were adopting a “wait and see” approach.
“I can certainly understand the concern, but with the huge amount of money the NSW and federal governments are pumping into the sector, I’m confident it will all work out,” he said.
Mr Gee said public sector disability support workers would be supported through this change.
“The NSW government is having productive discussions with the unions with regard to employment entitlements, which have not concluded,” he said.
“Raising the spectre of workers missing out on entitlements is just typical union scaremongering in the week before an election.
“Spreading this sort of stuff around to spook voters is just part of a larger union scare campaign that’s been going on across NSW.”
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au