Who is part of the Council?

3 options with a different person in each one. There is a hand pointing toward the middle option.

The Minister for the NDIS chooses who is on the Council.

Montage of three icons, a group of people with disability, a carer with her arm around a person and a service provider talking to a man.

Our members include:

  • people with disability
  • family and carers
  • service providers.

An image of Leah van Poppel.

Leah van Poppel is the Principal Member.

She is our leader.

An NDIA Board icon and a calendar icon that says 1 January 2022.

She became the Principal Member on 1 January 2022.

She also joined the NDIA Board at the same time.

3 women pointing to themselves and raising their hands. Above them is a map of Australia with Victoria highlighted.

She used to be the leader of Women with Disabilities Victoria.

An image of Kerry Allan-Zinner.

Kerry Allan-Zinner works to improve rights for people with disability.

A rules document with ticks and crosses on it. Next to it is an even set of scales.

Rights are rules about how everybody should be treated fairly.

A woman with cerebral palsy, there are icons of a brain, muscle and bone next to her.

Kerry is a person with disability.

She was born with cerebral palsy.

An image of Dr Sharon Boyce.

Dr Sharon Boyce is a person with disability.

A map of Australia with Queensland highlighted. Next to it is an icon of a person with a megaphone and disability icon.

She:

  • is from Queensland
  • speaks up for people with disability.

An image of Jennifer Cullen.

Jennifer Cullen has worked in disability services for more than 33 years.

A map of Australia with an Aboriginal dot pattern and hand prints. There are dots for the Torres Strait Islands.

She is a proud Aboriginal woman.

She supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with disability.

An image of Dr Leighton Jay.

Dr Leighton Jay gives advice on policies and services that affect people with disability.

A parent standing with his son, there is a disability icon next to them.

He has a son with disability.

An image of Sylvana Mahmic.

Sylvana Mahmic speaks up for people with disability.

3 young children with a disability icon next to them.

She works hard to support children with disability.

An image of Tricia Malowney OAM.

Tricia Malowney OAM speaks up for the rights of people with disability.

She is a woman with disability.

A map of Australia with a medal icon next to it.

The OAM after her name means she received an award called the Medal of the Order of Australia.

An image of James Manders.

James Manders works on different Boards.

A man with a megaphone next to him. There is also a disability icon.

He speaks up for people with disability.

An image of Sam Paior.

Sam Paior is a service provider in South Australia.

She is the leader of The Growing Space.

An image of Liz Reid AM.

Liz Reid AM supports people with disability to:

  • find and keep a job
  • take part in their communities.

The AM after her name means that she received an award for the Member of the Order of Australia.

An image of Dr George Taleporos.

Dr George Taleporos lives with a physical disability and high support needs.

A person in a wheelchair raising their hand with a speech bubble that has a disability icon in it. Next to them is a calendar icon that says 20 years with an arrow pointing up.

He has been speaking up for people with disability for over 20 years.

He also leads the Victorian Disability Advisory Council.

An image of Mark Tonga.

Mark Tonga speaks up to make sure people with different disabilities:

  • are included
  • get the support they need.

2 women shake hands. They each have one hand on their chest.

He believes everyone should be treated:

  • fairly
  • like equals.

An image of Dr Ben Gauntlett.

Dr Ben Gauntlett is Council’s Expert Adviser.

This means he supports us with our work.

An icon of the Disability Discrimination Commissioner. Behind him are 2 people with disability and a safe icon above them.

He is the Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.

This means he works to make sure people with disability are safe.

An image of Belinda Epstein-Frisch AM.

Belinda Epstein-Frisch AM works closely with Council members to bring our advice to life.

An award icon in front of a map of Australia.

The AM after her name means that she received an award for the Member of the Order of Australia.

Policy icon with a disability icon next to it.

She has experience writing policies that affect people with disability.

She speaks up for people with disability.

People who left the Council

An image of Robyn Kruk AO.

Robyn Kruk AO was our leader from July 2020 to December 2021.

An award icon in front of a map of Australia.

The AO after her name means she received an award called Officer of the Order of Australia.

An image of Judy Huett.

Judy Huett was part of the Council from July 2012 to December 2021.

A woman and next to her is a thumbs up icon and three icons of intellectual disability - a lightbulb, cogs and a brain.

She still works to improve the rights of people with intellectual disability.

A man thinking, next to him are three icons of intellectual disability - a lightbulb, cogs and a brain.

An intellectual disability affects how you:

  • learn new things
  • solve problems
  • communicate
  • do things on your own.