Gold medal-winning paralympian new NDIA chair

Paralympian and disability advocate Kurt Fearnley has been appointed the new chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency, the first time a person with a disability has held the role.

The NDIA is responsible for administering the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which launched in 2020.

Mr Fearnley – who was born with lumbar sacral agenesis, which can cause abnormalities of the lower spine – said it was significant recipients of the scheme were reflected in the NDIA’s executive team. “It’s important that the participants of the NDIS get to see themselves in this organisation.”

Describing the appointment as “the single greatest role that I’ve ever even considered,” the former wheelchair racer – who won three gold medals after competing in five Summer Paralympic Games – said: “We need the NDIA to be a success for the country to be what we believe it is.”

Mr Fearnley’s appointment was announced on Monday by NDIS Minister Bill Shorten in Canberra. He called Mr Fearnley a “formidable advocate” who “stands up for Australians”.

“His contribution in the disability sector, the sporting sector, and his general leadership and advocacy in our community makes himself an exceptionally qualified chair,” Mr Shorten said.

Mr Fearnley was a strong advocate for the NDIS and an independent adviser during its rollout two years ago.

Since then, the scheme has been beset by problems including long delays, reported fraud and deficient funding. However, Mr Fearnley remains optimistic that the NDIS can deliver quality care and support to people living with a disability.

“The hope I think I had while we were lobbying for it, the hope I had as an independent advisor, is still there – it hasn’t changed,” he said. “The country needs an NDIS that’s trusted, that is efficient, that is effective, and I hope that I can play a part in that.”

Responding to Mr Fearnley’s appointment, Australian Greens spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services Senator Jordon Steele-John said: “Many people are pleased to see Kurt Fearnley take on the chair of the board for the NDIA. His experience as a physically disabled person will add a greater perspective, and I hope that he continues to listen to people with a range of disabilities and advocate for major, transformative change in the culture and operations of the NDIA.”

New CEO and board members

Experienced bureaucrat Rebecca Falkingham also joins the agency as its new chief executive officer – the first permanent female CEO of the NDIA.

Ms Falkingham’s appointment follows on from her role as secretary of the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety.

“The appointment of the new CEO is progress, it’s good to have a woman with a background in public service take on the role,” said Mr Steele-John. However, he added it was a “missed opportunity” not to have a disabled person in the role.

“It remains that two of the three leadership roles – the minister, the CEO and the chair – who make decisions every day that impact the lives of disabled people do not have the lived experience of being a disabled person.”

Meanwhile, the NDIA board welcomed new members former disability discrimination commissioner Dr Graeme Innes and Maryanne Diamond, a board member at Australian Network on Disability to make five people with disability now on the NDIA Board.

“The new board members each bring extensive experience in the corporate and public sectors as well as lived experience of disability,” said Mr Shorten. “Having more people with disability in leadership positions will pivot the [NDIS] and rebuild trust with the disability sector.”

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