13 March 2025 - meeting 15 - communique

The Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee (the Committee) met for the first time this year on 13 March 2025.

The Committee met with the Minister for Disability, the Hon Jinson Charls MLA, to discuss the issues affecting people living with disability in the Northern Territory.

Minister’s Update

The Minister for Disability spoke of his recent attendance at the Disability Reform Ministerial Council in February 2025 and advised the Committee that ongoing discussions and work continues by all jurisdictions on the significant reforms underway arising from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review.  The Minister acknowledged the Northern Territory has some unique challenges, and assured the Committee he will continue to advocate for the rights of all Territorians living with disability.

The Committee was provided advice that the 2023-2024 Annual Report for the Northern Territory Disability Strategy Action Plan 2022-2025 was nearing publication, and the Department of People, Sport and Culture (the Department) have commenced developing the second Action Plan under the Northern Territory Disability Strategy 2022-2032. The second Action Plan will outline the Northern Territory Government’s commitment to improving the lives of people with disability over the next four years.  The Minister highlighted to the Committee how important their input and feedback will be in ensuring tangible outcomes moving forward.

The Minister further updated the Committee on current initiatives in the disability space including the continued growth of the NT Companion Card program and the construction of the Changing Places facilities.

Northern Territory Disability Strategy Action Plan 2025-2029

The Department presented an update to members on the progress of the first Northern Territory Disability Strategy Action Plan and sought input from the Committee on the priorities important to them to inform development of the new Action Plan 2025-2029.

The Department and the Committee discussed these priorities at length, with a focus of capturing current concerns faced by people living with disability in the Northern Territory and how to incorporate these into the new Action Plan 2025-2029.

Some of the priorities identified by the Committee included:

• accessibility to transport;
• accessibility of buildings and public places;
• employment initiatives and training to support people with disability to find and stay in meaningful employment;
• safe and accessible housing;
• legislative reforms to strength safety and rights;
• access to support in remote communities; and
• readily available and accessible information for people with disability.

The Department is intending to launch the new Action Plan 2025-2029 in August 2025.

Mr Callum Hooley
Chair
Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee