Senator FIFIELD (Victoria—Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Assistant Minister for Social Services) (14:47): Thank you, Senator Williams, for the question. The last quarter's report for the National Disability Insurance Scheme was released today, and it contains good news. There are now 17,300 participants in the NDIS who have support plans in place, and $952 million has been committed to people with disability so that they can choose the services that are best for them. This represents 94 per cent of the bilateral agreements with the jurisdictions, which is up from 85 per cent since the last quarterly report. I can also report that the cost of average packages, excluding residents in large institutions, is $33,597. This is lower than the last quarterly average of $34,907 and remains below the expected full scheme average of $36,750, so the scheme is operating within its funding envelope. I can also advise colleagues that satisfaction levels amongst participants in the scheme are high—the experience of participants is good and the scheme is making a difference in the lives of individuals. And the good news is that those individuals are now at the centre and in control of the supports that they receive. Senator Conroy: Thank goodness for Jenny and Bill! Senator FIFIELD: I will take Senator Conroy's interjection, but I will change it a little, to say: isn't it good that there was bipartisan support for the NDIS, that the coalition in opposition were wholehearted supporters of the NDIS and that they are continuing this important program through, building it and giving it good stewardship through to completion?