Respected disability advocates El Gibbs and Dougie Herd have been appointed as the two co-chairs of the newly formed NDIS Reform Advisory Committee.
Announcing the appointments, outgoing NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said El Gibbs and Dougie Herd bring significant experience from the disability community and their previous work.
“El has made an extraordinary impact on the disability and advocacy sector over more than fifteen years, and has shown incredible commitment to the involvement of people with disability in public policy and public life,” Shorten said.
“She is a seasoned advocate, communications expert, and NDIS specialist living in regional New South Wales– making her perfect for a role advising Disability Ministers on reform implementation.
“Dougie has more than 30 years’ experience in disability advocacy, disability advice and service delivery in Scotland and Australia, including as a Panel Member of the Independent Review into the NDIS. His experience on official advisory bodies for both the ACT and NSW state government Disability Ministers’ hold in him in good stead for this role.”
Shorten added he looked forward to the additional committee members being appointed shortly.
What will the committee do?
The committee, to be comprised of 13 members, was recommended by the Independent Review into the NDIS to monitor and advise State and Territory Disability Ministers on the implementation of the NDIS reforms, including monitoring levels of engagement by government with people with disability.
It will provide independent advice to the Minister for the NDIS and Disability Ministers from people with disability on the implementation of NDIS reforms, including on policy, process, timing, and community views. It will also formally report to the Disability Reform Ministerial Council each six-months on implementation progress and risks, including the approach to inclusion of and accountability to people with disability.
El Gibbs and Dougie Herd will lead the committee as the inaugural co-chairs from January 2025 for a term of 2.5 years. They will be supported by eight additional members from states and territories and three additional members appointed through an EOI process.
The Terms of Reference for the committee are currently being finalised and will be published on the DSS Engage website soon. The EOI process will begin once the Terms of Reference have been finalised. Further information on the EOI will be provided on the DSS Engage website.
The committee will operate for five years. The inaugural appointments will be for 2.5 years. All appointments to the committee are made on an individual-basis (distinct from any other employment or appointments they hold).