South Australian politician Ms Amanda Rishworth, who previously worked as a psychologist, is the new minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS.)
The previous Minister for Social Services, Rishworth took over from former NDIS Minister Mr Bill Shorten whose last day in the role was 20 January 2025.
Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth, is the new minister assisting the minister for the NDIS.
“The NDIS is critical for our nation and I am honoured to continue the important work of its reform,” Rishworth said.
“There are 5.5 million Australians with disability and our Albanese Labor Government is committed to an inclusive Australia where all people with disability can thrive and reach their goals as equal members of the community.”
Rishworth graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology Honours from Flinders University and a Masters Degree in Psychology from Adelaide University. After graduating, she practised as a psychologist working with GPs in the delivery of mental health care to the community.
Married with two young children and living in Adelaide, she was elected as the Member for Kingston at 29 years of age in 2007.
Rishworth was previously Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development and Shadow Minister for Youth. Before that she was Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel.
Educated at state schools in Adelaide, she worked as a sales assistant during her university studies and developed a strong interest in workplace fairness. She followed this passion to work in the trade union movement, as a union representative and an occupational health and safety trainer.
Paid tribute to Bill Shorten
Rishworth said Shorten had been “a passionate and tireless advocate for people with disability – and left big shoes to fill”.
“As Minister for Social Services I have worked in close partnership with Minister Shorten across the disability sector over the past two and a half years and I have immense admiration for his achievements,” she said.
“I’d like to acknowledge Minister Shorten for his invaluable contribution to our nation and to the lives of people with disability across our country. He has overseen significant reforms to the NDIS and has been a champion for the Labor-introduced scheme from its inception. Under his leadership we have seen people with disability put back at the centre of the NDIS.”
Shorten said his six terms and more than 17 years as a Member of the Australian Parliament had been “an extraordinary experience” and he left knowing he had tried his hardest every day. Leading the “great Federal Labor Party has been a particular privilege,” he added.
“As I said in September, forming and re-forming the NDIS has been one of my proudest achievements in public life and I know it will remain in good hands under a Labor Government,” he said.
“I want people with disability to know they will be as important to this Government today as they have been since I have been Minister.”
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