NDS has welcomed the new leadership of the National Disability Insurance Agency announced today by the Minister for the NDIS, Bill Shorten, with a new Chair and Board of the NDIA announced and a new CEO to head up the agency.

CEO Laurie Leigh says she looks forward to a new leadership team at the NDIA and anticipates a change in the culture of the NDIA and a reset of the agency’s relationships with NDIS participants and with providers.

“The announcement of Kurt Fearnley AO as the Chair of the NDIA Board is welcome, I am pleased to see a person with disability take up this role at the highest level within the NDIA,” she said. 

“Mr Fearnley brings a multi-faceted perspective to the role as a person with disability with high level experience in the governance of a disability service provider and previous involvement with government as a member of the NDIS Advisory Council. 

“NDS also welcomes the inclusion of other notable people with disability on the NDIA Board, including former Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes AM, and Marianne Diamond AO, and the return to the Board of Denis Napthine AO.

“The appointment of Rebecca Falkingham PSM as CEO will be pivotal in the agency’s change of relationship with participants and providers. 

“Ms Falkingham brings significant high-level experience as a senior public servant as the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety, as well as previous positions with the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.  

“We look forward to working closely with Rebecca Falkingham and her team.”