Disabled woman interrupts PM - Sydney Morning Herald

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been interrupted by an angry audience member, while giving a speech about disability support in Sydney.

On Monday morning, Ms Gillard was delivering the opening address at a conference for disability services CEOs, when she was interrupted by a woman in a wheelchair. Mel Leckie, 28, spoke up from the floor to read a handwritten statement stating the tough situation she found herself in as a paraplegic.

Ms Leckie - who described problems with incontinence - was angry about the poor levels of support she had access to.

''I will never be able to work full-time,'' she said.

Ms Gillard told the woman the government was ''listening'' and instructed one of her staff members to take the woman's details.

''We're very happy to speak specifically with you,'' Ms Gillard said. before continuing her speech.

The Prime Minister told the conference that she wanted to leave Friday's Council of Australian Government's meeting in Canberra with the key arrangements settled for the launch of the first stage of the NDIS.

She added that she also wanted bilateral agreements secured with jurisdictions that will host a launch site - NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT.

''This Friday, on behalf of all Australians with disability, I will be holding those five premiers and chief ministers to their word, as they will be holding me to my word,'' Ms Gillard said.

On Monday, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told the conference of his support for people with disabilities, including the NDIS.

''When it comes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, I am Dr Yes.''

Mr Abbott pledged his ''personal commitment'' to do all he reasonably could to support people with disabilities. He said that this year, his annual charity bike ride, Pollie Pedal, was in support of Carers Australia - and that he would ride for the organisation again in 2013.

Mr Abbott observed that his cauliflower ears were not just due to his former boxing career. In part, they were the result of the way carers had ''chewed my ear'' about disability support, Mr Abbott said.

Last week, Ms Gillard introduced the NDIS bill to parliament. Legislation is expected to be passed next year.

With AAP