ATSA’s role in the industry has become more relevant especially to government and the National Disability Insurance Agency.
Speaking at the ATSA AGM, chairman Geoff Purtill said a number of strategic objectives set by ATSA in 2017 have been fulfilled.
“This was demonstrated through a number of representations for the industry at Senate Inquiries including actions by ATSA,” he said.
These included:
- Supply of Assistive Technology (AT) by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), where it managed to raise the problems with payment, quoting and getting resolutions
- Innovative Mobility Devices Workshop with the National Transport Commission (NTC)
- Influence in the Road Vehicle Standards Bill, involving the importation of disability vehicles in meeting Australian Standards
- Development of an accreditation scheme for AT and suppliers
- Involvement with the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) and the registration of Class 1 medical devices on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) listing
Purtill thanked outgoing committee members, Jill Barnett (Magic Mobility) and Owen Dawes (Permobil) for their outstanding commitment to ATSA and the industry.
With the new constitution, ATSA has now moved to a Board of Management with the appointment of Craig Slattery (Para Mobility) and Nik Witcombe (Blue Badge Insurance Australia) as new Board members who join standing members, Geoff Purtill (Invacare), Chris Jones (Peak Care), Sam Garland (Aidacare), Ian Rothall (Merits) and George Ajaka (GTK).
ATSA executive officer David Sinclair, said there is a growing need to have the facts when in discussion with government, to that end the AGM endorsed ATSA to proceed with the investigation to establish a suitable approach for gathering industry data that will greatly assist ATSA in its advocacy.