Braddon Candidates Forum Highlights Urgent Sector Priorities

Braddon Candidates Forum Highlights Urgent Sector Priorities

Multicap Tasmania was proud to host the NDS Braddon Candidates Forum at our Westwood facility this week, welcoming local candidates and providers to discuss the future of disability services ahead of the 2025 Federal Election.

The event was facilitated by Lizzie Castles, State Manager of National Disability Services (NDS) Tasmania, and Nigel Hill, CEO of Multicap Tasmania and Chair of the NDS Tasmanian Divisional Committee. Representatives from service providers across Northern Tasmania joined the forum, where the NDS Federal Election Platform was presented and discussed.

In attendance were:

• Adam Martin – Independent

• Erin Marrow – Australian Greens

• Anne Urquhart – Australian Labor Party

  
  

The Liberal Party candidate, Mal Hingston, was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances but sent his apologies.

This timely discussion focused on the urgent reforms needed to strengthen the NDIS and ensure long-term sustainability for the disability services sector. NDS, as Australia’s peak body for disability service organisations, is calling on all political parties to commit to:

• Tiered pricing models that reward quality and complexity

• Universal provider registration to support safety and accountability

• Independent pricing through IHACPA for fair, sustainable service delivery

• Investment in the workforce, wages, and training

• A clear roadmap for reform that ensures continuity and confidence for providers and participants

With over half of quality providers reporting financial losses and 1 in 5 considering exiting the sector, urgent action is needed. The candidates were invited to hear firsthand how current policy settings are affecting Tasmanian providers, particularly in regional and remote areas, and to share their own commitments to improving outcomes for people with disability.

We thank the candidates and all attendees for their engagement, and we remain committed to advocating for a stronger, more sustainable NDIS that values quality, community, and long-term impact.