Minister for the NDIS the Hon. Bill Shorten MP today announced Louise Glanville as the new Commissioner of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission, taking over from Acting Commissioner Mike Phelan APM.
Minister Shorten said Ms Glanville will bring a wealth of operational and sector experience to the role as the former Deputy CEO of the National Disability and Insurance Agency.
“Ms Glanville’s experience in both the disability and legal sector sends a message of regulatory rigour and deep policy experience to prioritise safety and quality at this key time for the sector,” said Minister Shorten.
“Our Government recognised the need to reform and invest in the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission with a major budget uplift to ensure it is adequately resourced with both people and systems.”
Incoming Commissioner Louise Glanville said, “This appointment is a great privilege. I am looking forward to returning to the national disability space.
“A lot has changed since I left the NDIA in 2017, however, something that has not, is my passion for the NDIS – advocating for the rights of people with disability as well as a sustainable NDIS into the future. I feel a sense of unfinished business here, and now is the right time to take on this role.
“Balancing quality and safeguards are essential to this role, both need attention. Advocacy and quality service delivery is core to Victorian Legal Aid where I have spent the past six years as CEO.”
Acting Commissioner Michael Phelan has also engaged Natalie Wade, who will assist the Acting Commissioner with responsibility for Registration and Reform. Ms Wade who has outstanding experience in law and lived experience as a woman with disability.
“Ms Wade’s experience as a leading disability rights lawyer and the critical work as the Chair of the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce will ensure the next phase of reform to be developed and executed by the NDIS Commission will be in very competent hands,” Minister Shorten said,
Incoming Associate Commissioner Natalie Wade said, “This is a significant moment in our nation’s continued commitment to advancing the rights of people with disabilities in Australia. We must create systems and structures that promote quality and safe services for all people with disabilities and this role is an important step toward achieving that.”
“I am deeply honoured to accept the role and have the opportunity to lead these once-in-a-generation reforms. As a human rights lawyer and disabled woman, I am looking forward to working bringing together governments, the disability community and sector to deliver reform that centres the rights of people with disabilities.”
Outgoing Acting Commissioner, Mike Phelan APM said, “It has been a significant period of reform at the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission since I started in this role in March 2024 which is why I decided to introduce the Associate Commissioner role to drive the important reforms”.
“We have capitalised on the doubling of staff and kicked off fundamental IT system reform to make connected intelligence a priority that began with our contact centre.
“We have made it considerably easier for participants and providers to access information and get the support they need.
“We have started a new approach to risk prioritisation to ensure our complaints and incidents systems respond quickly for NDIS participants at highest risk of harm.”
Minister Shorten said, “I thank Mike for the heavy lifting in staff and system reform at the NDIS Commission, with a central focus on culture.
“As the NDIS undergoes a period of landmark reform, Ms Glanville and Ms Wade’s combined experience puts participant safety and provider and worker regulation in the safest of hands.”
Michael Phelan APM will conclude his role as Acting Commissioner role from 30 September 2024, when the new Commissioner Louise Glanville and Associate Commissioner Natalie Wade commence their roles.
Bios
Louise Glanville
Louise is an experienced Chair, CEO and Deputy Secretary across legal, social and government sectors.
For 25 years, she has led policy development, service delivery, major reform and systematic change at federal, state and local levels through working with individuals and communities.
As CEO of Victoria Legal Aid, and Chair of National Legal Aid, she headed a team of over 1400 staff offering legal assistance to those who need it most and providing system leadership, strategic litigation, law reform and advocacy input to senior levels of industry and government.
As former Deputy CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency, Louise was part of the Executive Team which led the roll-out of the NDIS pilots across Australia, working with people with disabilities, and established the new statutory agency that is the NDIA.
Natalie Wade
Natalie is a respected disability rights lawyer and advocate.
As Chair of the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce, she works with people living with disability to ensure provider and worker registrations lead to better outcomes for NDIS participants.
As the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Equality Lawyers, she is also a leader in providing premium legal advice and representation to people with disabilities and their families.
In 2021, Natalie authored Disability Rights in Real Life, a practical handbook for disabled people, their families and allies on everyday disability rights law.
