The Wire

A big step towards a national disability insurance scheme was taken today, after thousands rallied across the country. Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced what many at the Sydney rally wanted to hear- that a scheme will be underway by the middle of next year.

The initial stages of the scheme will service up to 10 thousand people in four select launch sites. While this is a welcome first step, some groups have said that five years is too long to wait for the scheme to roll out nationally.