After a lengthy recruitment process, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has announced that Paralympian Kurt Fearnley will lead the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Also appointed to the board are former Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Graeme Innes and Maryanne Diamond, previously NDIA general manager for Communications Stakeholder Engagement. The NDIS also has a new chief executive, with Rebecca Falkingham, currently Victorian Department of Justice Secretary, taking on the role. She is the first permanent female chief executive in the NDIA’s history.

“Mr Fearnley is a trusted disability advocate and I rely on his knowledge and experience like the sector does,” the minister said. “Having more people with disability in leadership positions will pivot the scheme and rebuild trust with the disability sector.”

In a statement Fearnley said having people with disability in key positions on the board was essential if it was to live up to the principles of the scheme’s formation 10 years ago. “Alongside Graeme, Maryanne and Rebecca, I recognise this is the start line not the end of the journey.

“I am thrilled to be put at the helm of such an important national organisation, and I will work every day for the betterment of the scheme and to rebuild trust among Australians with disability,” he said.

 Fearnley was on the NDIS Independent Advisory Council from 2013 to 2015 during its trial phase and is the first person with disability to chair the board.

There are now five people with disability on the NDIA Board, including current board members Leah van Poppel and Meredith Allan, the largest number in its history. Former chair Dr Denis Napthine returns as a board member.

Also responding to the announcement was CEO and former NDIS board director Dr Martin Laverty who said: “The minister, board chair and chief executive each having strong confidence in one another is exactly what the NDIS needs, with a major review of scheme operations about to get underway”.

Caption: Kurt Fearnley, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, Graeme Innes, Maryanne Diamond and Rebecca Falkingham.