Exactly a week ago—to the minute—the new NDIS Minister was being sworn in at Government House. Yesterday, she made her first speech to the sector. It’s a clear sign of her determination to engage closely and work with the sector.

It’s always the big question: what’s the new Minister like? Do they just want quick, politically safe answers; or are they genuinely prepared to take on problems and find real solutions?

Any doubts about Jenny McAllister's answer were quickly dispelled in Melbourne yesterday, as she assured the DSC Conference she hadn’t wasted a single day since then in attempting to understand her challenge.

“Your voices carry weight,” she assured the sector. “I have a responsibility to ensure nothing is done to change the NDIS without listening to participants and without their input.”

“Deep in my heart I know that you can’t do this job properly unless you engage people directly.”

McAllister went on to make two key points: change is both needed and coming, yet it won’t be driven without direct input from the sector.

“Government cannot make good decisions without good information,” she continued. “We do best when we make decisions together. This government is committed to engaging with those who live and work with this scheme.”

She also gave the first insight into why the NDIS has been grouped with health and aged care. Together with Health Minister Mark Butler she’s is aiming to integrate the journey of individual people through the system and align these with government responses.

“Too often people are diverted from one system to another. Demand in one puts pressure on another. We need health, disability and aged care to be connected and seamless to support the social model embodied in the NDIS.”

Perhaps the most revealing part of McAllister’s speech was not, in fact, in the speech at all. What was far more significant was the simple fact that she gave it and how she behaved while attending the DSC conference.

If you’ve seen Ministers you know they all, invariably, come with their own personalities. Some listen intently and do nothing; others are so full of their own importance they can’t hear anyone in the room. The surprise about McAllister was that where her words varied from the written speech they demonstrated that she’s bringing a genuine commitment to deeply engage with the sector.

This is not simply manufactured: it’s real.

This isn’t because the Minister’s always dreamed of this job in particular. Coming from Labor’s left (she began her political career working with the NSW Branch before becoming National President of the ALP) she’s always had a commitment to social issues. These, however, have always been balanced by other broader interests, such as the environment in particular.

Although this is the Senator’s first Ministry, she’s bringing a hefty combination of experience to the job. Critically, she understands how to get things done.

This is not just about how to maneuver to achieve a win for one group; it’s about how to resolve issues with sustainable solutions. Others make the point that although she has particular expertise navigating Labor’s networks, she does this with a sensitive ear towards the broader flow of the current political mood.

Her final words to the conference weren’t in the script she took to the lectern.

“The NDIS is a source of profound empowerment,” she said.

“It has been made possible because of honest, open dialogue, where experience is valued and truly heard.”

The point is not that she gave that rhetorical guarantee. The real point is that she took detailed notes as the next speaker began elaborating on the problems engulfing the NDIS.